**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Indian government's response to Unstarred Question No. 2511 in the Lok Sabha, answered on February 13, 2026, concerning India-United States relations. It addresses strain in relations, diplomatic steps, India's role in the Global South, and safeguarding strategic interests, answering questions (a) through (d) raised by Smt. Pratima Mondal. Key actions include ongoing engagement with the US and efforts to secure energy security.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **India-US Relations:**
* Issues include elevated US tariffs on Indian exports and changes in US visa regulations affecting Indian students and professionals.
* Despite these issues, India and the US are engaged and have agreed to a framework for an interim agreement.
* On February 2, 2026, both countries agreed that reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods will be reduced to 18 percent.
* Both governments are engaged on visa issues, with India providing representations that have resulted in clarifications through FAQs.
* **Global South:**
* India is committed to human-centric development in the Global South via infrastructure, humanitarian aid, scholarships, and training.
* India's G20 Presidency mainstreamed Global South priorities.
* The admission of the African Union as a permanent G20 member reflects India's commitment to developing countries.
* India is a major provider of development finance and a technology deployment model for the Global South.
* **National and Energy Security:**
* The government monitors geopolitical developments to protect India's national interests and the welfare of Indian nationals abroad, providing consular assistance and evacuations when needed.
* Missions and Posts regularly issue advisories.
* 24x7 helplines and platforms such as MADAD, CPGRAMS and eMigrate are available.
* Energy security is a high priority, with a strategy focused on diversifying supply, boosting domestic production, expanding alternative energy, and advancing energy transition.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Exporters (especially MSMEs)**
* **Impact:** The reduction of tariffs on Indian goods by the US is expected to enhance market access, support employment generation, and safeguard farmers' interests.
* **Action Required:** To capitalize on the improved market access and be aware of the specific tariff reductions, prepare to expand operations.
**Indian Professionals and Students**
* **Impact:** Clarifications to US visa regulations aim to provide greater clarity for impacted applicant categories.
* **Action Required:** Review the provided FAQs for greater clarity around visa application categories.
**Global South Countries**
* **Impact:** Continued support through infrastructure, financial assistance, and technology deployment, ensuring India continues to amplify developing country voices.
* **Action Required:** Continued collaboration with India to utilize available development finance, technology, and capacity-building programs.
**Indian Nationals Abroad**
* **Impact:** Ongoing monitoring of geopolitical developments, consular assistance, and evacuation support to ensure safety and welfare.
* **Action Required:** Stay informed through advisories issued by Missions and Posts, and utilize provided helplines for assistance when needed.
Key Entities Referenced
India-United States Relations: Bilateral relations between India and the United States which are the primary subject of the question in the Lok Sabha.
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian ministry responsible for foreign relations, and the ministry answering the question.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Indian Parliament, where the question regarding India-United States relations was raised.
Global South: Referenced in relation to India's commitment to advancing human-centric development and supporting development finance and technology access.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2511
ANSWERED ON 13/02/2026
INDIA-UNITED STATES RELATIONS
2511. SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-
(a) the reasons behind the apparent strain in India–United States
relations, particularly the lack of progress on trade negotiations
and the continuing restrictions and uncertainty around work visas
for Indian professionals;
(b) the concrete diplomatic steps being taken to safeguard India’s
economic and people-to-people interests with the United States;
(c) the details of tangible gains which India has delivered for the
Global South in terms of development finance, technology access
and debt relief beyond summit-level declarations of
announcements; and
1(d) the manner in which India is safeguarding its strategic and
energy interests and the safety of its diaspora amid escalating
conflicts in West Asia?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to d) Issues in India-U.S. bilateral ties in recent times have
included the imposition of elevated tariffs by the United States on
India’s exports and changes implemented by the US in its visa
regulations, which have affected students and professionals.
Notwithstanding these developments, the two sides have continued
to engage and on 2 February 2026, India and the US agreed to a
framework for an interim agreement, under which reciprocal tariffs
on Indian goods will be reduced to 18 percent. This is expected to
enhance market access for Indian exporters, particularly MSMEs,
support employment generation, especially for women and youth
and safeguard farmers’ interests and rural livelihoods.
2On the visa front, stakeholders on both sides remain engaged and
representations by the Government have led to the issuance of
clarificatory FAQs, providing greater light for impacted applicant
categories.
India remains committed to advancing human-centric development
in the Global South through concrete infrastructure and community
projects, financial and humanitarian assistance, and capacity-
building via scholarships and training programmes. During India’s
G20 Presidency, sustained efforts were made to mainstream Global
South priorities, including through the Voice of the Global South
Summits. The admission of the African Union as a permanent G20
member reflects India’s commitment to amplifying developing
country voices in global decision-making. India continues to be a
large provider of development finance to the Global South and is a
model for technology deployment, including in the fintech space.
The Government continuously monitors geopolitical developments
affecting India’s national interests and the welfare and safety of
Indian nationals abroad. Missions and Posts regularly issue
advisories, provide consular assistance and facilitate evacuations
3where required, supported by 24×7 helplines and platforms such as
MADAD, CPGRAMS and eMigrate.
Energy security remains among India’s highest priorities. The
Government is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy covering
diversification of supply sources, enhanced domestic production,
expansion of alternative energy and advancement of the energy
transition, while remaining engaged with partner countries to
ensure uninterrupted access to affordable energy.
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