India-US relations: Akhilesh Yadav urges Centre to improve ties; bats for students going abroad

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has called on the government to focus on strengthening ties with the United States, describing it as the “head of capital flow” and noting that lakhs of Indian students pursue higher studies there.

Speaking to reporters, Yadav said India’s ties with America should never be allowed to decline, given the US’s dominance in wealth creation, trade and global innovation.

"Ties should be improved with the US. US is the head of capital flow. Wealth is created there. People dream big in the US. In science, technology, economy, health, and education, it is above others. The relation with such a country should never decline. Our neighbouring country, which grabs our land, the country which always helps Pakistan and during Operation Sindoor, India had to face China more than Pakistan. The government should be cautious of such a country which has its eyes on our land and is capturing our market. India should try to strengthen its economy to face such a country."

He added that New Delhi could not afford to let trade ties sour, pointing to the volume of business between the two countries and the large number of Indian students in the US.

"We cannot afford to spoil relations with US because trade with US is huge. 8 lakh Indian students go to study abroad. Many people from Gujarat live in the US. We hope people from Gujarat who work in US in high positions would not allow the ties to deteriorate," he said.

The move comes after US President Donald Trump accused India of purchasing Russian oil and indirectly funding the war in Ukraine. From 27 August, imports from India is subjected to 50% tariff.

Trump also warned that Washington was preparing further punitive measures.

Addressing the press earlier, he said the United States had not yet introduced “Phase-2” and “Phase-3” tariffs against countries maintaining trade with Russia. He described the secondary sanctions on India as a deliberate strike at Moscow, saying it “cost hundreds of billions of dollars to Russia.”

Responding to questions over his stance on Russia since taking office in January, Trump said India had become the largest buyer of Russian oil after China, warning that New Delhi could face additional penalties if it continued to import energy from Moscow.