In an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times on Capitol Hill, Democratic representative Ro Khanna from California delved into the political climate surrounding former President Donald Trump, domestic economic concerns, and the evolving US-India relationship. A key member of the House of Representatives and co-chair of the India and Indian-Americans Caucus, Khanna provided his insights into the current state of American politics and foreign policy.
Khanna, now in his fifth term, outlined the core issues driving the US electorate’s frustrations. “People were upset about the economy. It’s rough out there,” Khanna remarked, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction with rising costs in areas like gas, groceries, and healthcare. “Their jobs aren’t paying enough… and they wanted change.” This shift in voter sentiment, according to Khanna, played a major role in Trump’s electoral victory, but he cautioned against misinterpreting the results.
“I think he is over-reading his election as people who win often do,” Khanna stated, adding that while voters wanted change, they did not support policies like the abandonment of vaccines or the annexation of Greenland. “They don’t want us to have a mass deportation of 11 million undocumented immigrants. They don’t want tax breaks for the very wealthy,” he continued.
Reflecting on his position representing Silicon Valley, Khanna expressed concerns about the concentration of wealth in tech hubs and the impact on the broader economy. He emphasized the need to ensure that technological advancements, particularly in AI and cryptocurrency, benefit all Americans. On AI, Khanna noted its potential for societal progress in areas such as drug discovery and education, but stressed the importance of “thoughtful guardrails” to prevent misuse. Similarly, he acknowledged the promise of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and stablecoins but underscored the need for regulation to avoid speculative risks.
Turning to international relations, Khanna addressed the growing tension with China. He voiced concerns about the persistent trade deficit between the US and China, emphasizing the need for the US to become more self-reliant in manufacturing key industries. “We need to build more things in America… steel, shipbuilding, pills, aluminium,” he said, urging a rebalancing of trade and a strategic focus on strengthening the US’s Pacific presence to deter potential aggression toward Taiwan.
Khanna also spoke about the strategic importance of the US-India partnership, highlighting the success of the India Caucus in the House and his ongoing efforts to deepen ties between the two nations. “We grew it to the biggest caucus it’s ever been,” Khanna remarked, pointing to the US-India relationship as a priority for both Congress and the executive branch. “My hope and belief and expectation is he [Trump] will continue to have strong tariffs on industries that we need to build here and that he will continue to build our alliances as we contain China from hegemony.”
On the future of US foreign policy, Khanna reflected on the challenges of maintaining a values-based approach while addressing domestic concerns. “We have to focus on the de-industrialised communities… and focus on people who aren’t having an American dream,” he said. However, he remained optimistic that post-Trump, the US could return to an aspirational vision of freedom and pluralism, drawing inspiration from past leaders like John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama.
Khanna also addressed the complex issue of race in America, particularly in the context of the H-1B visa controversy and the growing prominence of Indian-Americans in US politics. He rejected the idea that incidents like the H-1B debate would lead to a new wave of racist attacks, pointing to the success of Indian-American figures like Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley. “We are making incredible progress,” he said, citing the contributions of Indian-Americans to the fabric of US society.
In conclusion, Khanna reaffirmed his belief in the resilience and potential of the US-India relationship, highlighting defense cooperation, technology, and shared democratic values as key areas of focus. He expressed confidence that both nations would continue to strengthen their ties in the coming years, with India playing an increasingly pivotal role on the global stage.
