Sens. Cornyn and Warner Outline Importance of the U.S.-India Partnership

At the core of the U.S.-India economic partnership across sectors lies the interplay of three foundational principles: trust, resilience, and growth. These three pillars serve as the driving force behind the collaboration and development between the two nations. 

During the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 48th annual India Ideas Summit, U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Mark Warner (D-VA) discussed the importance of the partnership between the United States and India and how it can continue to flourish.

The United States Must Commit to Deeping Relationships Outside of China

Since becoming co-chairs of the Indian Caucus, Cornyn and Warner have been committed to fostering and improving business relations, helping Indian companies to forge sustainable partnerships throughout the United States — making this caucus of 42 members the largest single country caucus in the entire Senate.

“I think we saw with COVID, we had a lot of reliance on China and some reliance on India,” Warner said. “[Moving] those relationships out of China and into India or elsewhere would be important.” 

Cornyn also noted, in a post-COVID-era, the “concern for the lack of transparency in investments made in China.”

“It’s harder and harder for fiduciaries and others to know what exactly is going on with their investments in China,” said Cornyn. “India seems like the obvious alternative.” 

“I think we are redefining national security,” Warner added.

Supply Chain Disruptions Are Not Going Away

When it comes to future partnerships, Warner emphasized the importance of aligning long-term interests.

“There is no one under 40 that doesn’t think the long-term interests of India are more aligned with the United States,” he said. “I think people vote with their feet … and I do not know a single Indian citizen that is aspiring to obtain a visa or move to Russia or China.” 

Cornyn agreed, adding that we “can’t go back and redo history,” but we can understand the current threats and move forward from there.

“I think the concerns that India understandably has with the border war going on with China is that they would benefit from opening their economy to more U.S. investments and working alongside of us,” he said. “Obviously, India wants to maintain their strategic independence and they will do that because they always have, and I think that is a positive sign.”

Warner emphasized the importance of having the “right players” in the room to develop these partnerships.

“I think that’s important that we and Congress are listening in,” added Warner.

International Collaboration Must Span Further Than Politics

Over the last 25 years, India has become a vastly different place. Warner expressed students from India have been coming to the United States for years, but U.S. businesses are not as responsive to the cross-culture affinity.

“I think [of] more of this cross-collaboration where it’s not just Indians coming here, but Americans going to India,” said Warner.

Cornyn agreed, adding that the largest challenge in this shift in cross-collaboration is the existing partnership with China.

“If you don’t have a plan B in place, then you are being slightly irresponsible to your shareholders and customers,” said Cornyn. “This is a very uncertain world we’re living in … so this can not only have national security implications but obviously economic implications to go along with that.”

Ultimately, the Senators noted that by leaning into intel and technology-based relationships, the U.S. and India can continue to foster a sustainable long-term relationship.