Trump's Wild Swings: Delhi Cautiously Optimistic Amid US Midterms

Delhi breathed a collective sigh of relief on Wednesday as Democrats seized control of both the Senate and House of Representatives. Placing guardrails on President Trump's unchecked powers. The shift in US politics has left South Block officials "cautiously optimistic" about the future of bilateral ties, which have been marred by turbulence over the past 19 months.

Delhi's diplomatic ire has been simmering over a range of US moves. From the 50% tariffs imposed on Indian goods to restrictions on H1B visas, which have curtailed the flow of skilled workers. The war in the Middle East has also driven up energy costs, weighing on India's economy.

As the US president prepares to take on Iran, officials are keenly watching for signs of a potential fresh offensive, hoping to gauge the motivations behind such a move and their potential impact on domestic politics.

India has maintained a close watch on the US presidential election. With officials engaging in diplomatic outreach to key lawmakers over the past year. Notably, representatives from the Democratic Party have been among those contacted, as Delhi seeks to express its concerns regarding the US administration's stance on contentious immigration policies.

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This includes the H1B visa cap and OPT restrictions.

However, with Republican control of the Congress, Delhi's pleas fell on deaf ears. Now, officials are cautiously optimistic that a Democrat-controlled Congress will offer a more sympathetic approach towards immigration.

India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, has extended an offer to US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal to "always open to constructive conversation" to dispel her misconceptions about India's electoral and political processes.

With the US midterms, Delhi will be watching if the US Congress is able to push back against the tariff imposition powers granted by the Congress led by the Republicans.

Indian negotiators have been watching the playing field before concluding the trade deal negotiations. Which have been in play since March 2025 and got a boost in February 2026.

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With the US midterms, the Indian government will refrain from actively intervening and lobbying with American Congress representatives. However, will seek them out on issues of concern, especially racism against Indians.

However, officials struck a note of caution: a Democrat-controlled Congress will also mean that US Senators and House Representatives will ask tough questions on the Indian government's handling of the internal political situation.

India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, has said that the remarks by US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal on India's electoral and political processes were "unacceptable interference in India’s internal affairs".