Washington: Continuing his series of engagements with key stakeholders in the United States, Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra met Republican Party’s Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Steve Scalise, in Washington  on September 19.

The Ambassador posted on X: “Had the honour of meeting Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise today, who conveyed warm wishes for PM Modi’s birthday. We discussed the many positive developments in ties in economic, defence, and energy sectors, further strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership.”

On September 18, the Ambassador held a meeting with John Moolenaar, Chairman of the House Select Committee on China, to discuss the significance of the India-US relationship. According to the committee, talks focused on regional security, manufacturing, trade and efforts to “shift critical manufacturing from China to India.”

Moolenaar termed India an “essential partner for global security” that has directly experienced Chinese Communist Party aggression. “India is the world’s largest democracy and a major US security partner. Today’s meeting reaffirmed our partnership and I am hopeful it will grow stronger, grounded in shared values,” he said.

Earlier this week, Kwatra also met Elbridge Colby, former Pentagon Undersecretary of War for Policy. “A productive conversation… reviewed the agenda and charted actionable paths on India-US defence cooperation,” Kwatra wrote. Colby called it a “valuable discussion” and welcomed deeper cooperation.

The Ambassador’s engagements come amid resumed bilateral trade talks and easing tensions since US President Donald Trump’s birthday phone call to PM Modi earlier this week. Trump, during his UK visit, reiterated: “I’m very close to India. I’m very close to the Prime Minister of India. We have a very good relationship.”