New York, Sep 4 (PTI) Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra has discussed India's energy trade imperatives, including Delhi's growing hydrocarbon purchases from the US as well as bilateral trade with Washington, with leading American lawmakers.

In a series of posts on social media, Kwatra highlighted his discussions with the US lawmakers.

Kwatra said on Thursday that he exchanged perspectives on India-US bilateral trade and India's energy trade imperatives with Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference and Conference Vice Chair of the House Republican Steering Committee Congressman Blake Moore, and thanked him for his steadfast support to the relationship.

He also held a detailed discussion with Representative Mike Kelly, Chairman Subcommittee on Taxation, on the bilateral relationship, including on “our close trade and economic ties. Thanked him for his strong support to the relationship. Highlighted India’s growing hydrocarbon purchases from the US as a key aspect of India’s energy security needs.” During a conversation with Chair of the Congressional Energy Export Caucus Rep. Carol Miller, Kwatra briefed her “on India's energy security and trade perspectives, especially India's hydrocarbon trade with the US. Highlighted India's steadfast support to all efforts including the Alaska Summit for resolution of conflict in Ukraine through dialogue and diplomacy.” President Donald Trump hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last month for a summit meeting aimed at efforts to bring an end to the Ukraine conflict.

Kwatra met Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Rep. Gregory Meeks and briefed him on recent developments in the bilateral relationship.

The Indian envoy said his discussion with Meeks “spanned trade, energy, Indo-Pacific, and broader issues of mutual interest. Grateful for his constant counsel and steadfast support to the US-India relationship throughout his leadership” on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The House Committee, responsible for foreign policy legislation and oversight, said in a post on X that Meeks met Kwatra to “underscore Congress’ support for the US-India partnership, which has strengthened over the past 25 years, including through the Quad." Meeks "reaffirmed our commitment to deeper ties, our shared hope for peace in Ukraine, and my alarm at Trump’s arbitrary tariffs that threaten this vital relationship.” Kwatra has been meeting US lawmakers amid a strain in India-US relations after Trump imposed tariffs totalling 50 per cent on India, including 25 per cent for its purchases of Russian oil.

Several of his administration’s officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and trade advisor Peter Navarro, have said that India’s purchases of Russian oil is financing the Russian war effort in Ukraine.

Defending its purchase of Russian crude oil, India has been maintaining that its energy procurement is driven by national interest and market dynamics. PTI RD/YAS ZH ZH

Hydrocarbon trade: India stresses growing US purchases as key to energy security amid tariff tensions and Russian oil scrutiny. The Indian Ambassador engaged US lawmakers to emphasise rising hydrocarbon purchases from the United States as pivotal to India's energy security, framing bilateral trade and economic ties as central despite tensions over US tariffs and scrutiny of India's Russian crude procurement; the meetings aimed to brief Congress on India's energy trade imperatives and secure continued legislative support for deeper commercial cooperation and dialogue on policy frictions.