FIIDS summit at U.S. Capitol spotlights U.S.-India ties

FIIDS brought more than 150 delegates to the U.S. Capitol on June 23 for its 4th Annual U.S.-India Partnership Summit, where U.S. officials, Indian diplomats and lawmakers cast the relationship as central to trade, technology, defense and Indo-Pacific security. Speakers also pressed for action on immigration backlogs, supply chains and rising anti-Hindu and anti-India rhetoric.

Why it matters: - The summit put bipartisan support for U.S.-India ties on display at the U.S. Capitol. - Speakers framed the relationship as a driver of trade, advanced technology, defense cooperation and Indo-Pacific stability. - Indian American civic engagement emerged as a recurring theme, with lawmakers and diplomats saying the community is shaping the partnership’s future.

What happened: - FIIDS hosted its 4th Annual U.S.-India Partnership Summit at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., on June 23, 2026. - The summit capped FIIDS’ 4th Annual Capitol Hill Day. - More than 150 delegates from 25 states met with over 100 Congressional offices, including nearly 20 Senate offices. - Delegates advocated on Indo-Pacific security, trade, critical technologies, immigration reform, critical minerals, counterterrorism and concerns about rising anti-Hindu and anti-India rhetoric. - Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Bethany Morrison delivered the keynote address. - Deputy Chief of Mission of India Namgya Khampa also addressed the gathering. - Senator Roger Marshall and several members of Congress spoke in support of stronger ties.

The details: - Morrison said the Indian American community has contributed immensely to America’s growth and success. - Morrison described the U.S.-India relationship as one of America’s most important partnerships. - Morrison said the Trump Administration is focused on delivering tangible results. - Morrison said the two countries are very close to concluding a historic bilateral trade agreement. - Morrison said the countries are working toward $500 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. - Morrison said the U.S.-India relationship is the future. - Morrison highlighted cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, critical minerals, energy, defense and education. - Morrison said bilateral goods trade reached $149 billion. - Morrison said Indian companies announced $20 billion in investments through SelectUSA. - Morrison said more than 330,000 Indian students contribute over $14 billion annually to the U.S. economy. - Khampa called the bilateral relationship one of the most seminal and defining partnerships of the 21st century. - Khampa said there is a lot that brings the two countries together and makes them stronger together. - Khampa said both democracies remain committed to a long-term strategic vision despite occasional differences. - Khampa called FIIDS delegates very strong advocates for the relationship. - Khampa said people are the ultimate custodians of the partnership. - FIIDS President and Chief of Policy and Strategy Khanderao Kand said the summit reflected a remarkable day of civic engagement. - Kand said the turnout and congressional meetings showed growing Indian American influence. - Kand said bipartisan support across Capitol Hill Day and the summit confirms the relationship is one of the defining strategic partnerships of the 21st century. - Marshall said Indian Americans are one of America’s most successful immigrant communities. - Marshall urged expanded trade, greater market access and reforms to legal immigration. - Marshall called India an indispensable Indo-Pacific partner and one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies. - Rep. Rob Wittman highlighted defense cooperation, resilient supply chains and emerging technologies as essential to Indo-Pacific stability. - Rep. Sanford Bishop cited Mahatma Gandhi’s influence on the Civil Rights Movement. - Bishop said H visas for skilled workers and student visas should remain available in the United States. - Bishop also called for stronger cooperation on supply chains, counterterrorism and addressing anti-Hindu prejudice. - Rep. James Walkinshaw said the partnership is rooted in shared interests and shared values. - Walkinshaw emphasized cooperation on a free and open Indo-Pacific, supply chains, artificial intelligence and immigration system modernization, including country caps. - Rep. Brad Sherman said the trade relationship between the United States and India has grown exponentially over three decades. - Sherman said he has worked to reduce visa backlogs and expand opportunities for Indian professionals. - Rep. Bill Huizenga said both countries share a commitment to a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific. - Huizenga said trade talks were at the one-yard line. - Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi warned about the rise of anti-Hindu, anti-Indian and anti-Desi hate. - Krishnamoorthi urged greater civic participation. - Rep. Suhas Subramanyam said America is missing out on talent from India because of immigration backlogs. - Subramanyam encouraged young Indian Americans to pursue public service. - Rep. Shri Thanedar said anti-immigrant hate is increasing and must stop. - Rep. Rob Bresnahan praised Indian Americans for contributions in entrepreneurship, healthcare, education and civic leadership. - Bresnahan supported deeper cooperation with India in trade, innovation and people-to-people ties. - Rep. Judy Chu and Rep. Ro Khanna briefly joined the program to show support. - Kapil Sharma of the Roundglass Foundation urged the community to translate success into a stronger collective voice. - Bob Peckar of the American Jewish Committee stressed collaboration in combating religious discrimination. - The summit ended with a bipartisan consensus that the U.S.-India partnership is critical to economic prosperity, technological innovation, democratic values, regional security and peace in the Indo-Pacific.

Between the lines: - The event showed how the U.S.-India agenda has expanded beyond diplomacy into trade, immigration, supply chains and domestic politics. - Lawmakers repeatedly linked the partnership to U.S. competitiveness, suggesting the relationship is now being sold in Washington as a strategic necessity, not just a foreign policy preference. - The repeated focus on anti-Hindu and anti-India rhetoric signals that diaspora concerns are increasingly part of the congressional conversation.

What's next: - Trade negotiations appear to be nearing a breakthrough, with both sides signaling progress toward a broader agreement. - Lawmakers and advocates are likely to keep pushing on visa backlogs, student and skilled-worker pathways, and immigration reform. - The summit’s organizing message suggests FIIDS will continue using Capitol Hill engagement to elevate Indian American influence and bilateral priorities. - More congressional attention is likely on defense cooperation, critical technologies and supply-chain resilience as the partnership deepens.

The bottom line: - FIIDS used its Capitol Hill summit to show that U.S.-India ties now sit at the center of Washington debates on security, economics and immigration, with Indian Americans increasingly shaping that agenda.