A thread: Slowly but surely members of Congress – both Republicans and Democrats – have started to push back against President Trump’s policies that affect India.
Yes, it has taken about nine months but given “flood-the-zone” strategy of the White House, members have a lot on their plate. Multiple fronts, multiple fights.
Diwali brings some good news and signs of activity to shore up US-India relations. (more) 1. A bipartisan resolution was introduced on Oct. 17 by @RepTomSouzzi (D-NY) and @RepYoungKim (R-CA) that recognizes the contributions of Indian Americans and condemns the recent spate of hate and vitriol coming their way.
“(3) recognizes the monumental role played by Americans of Indian heritage and their profound impact on the cultural, economic, and scientific advancement of the Nation; and
“4) condemns all acts of hate, discrimination, and violence against Indian Americans and the broader South Asian community, including those targeted for their Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Muslim, or other religious or cultural identity.”
congress.gov/bill/119th-con…

Shocking details: In the case of US v. Ashley Tellis, FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Scott in his affidavit says that "probable cause" exists in support of the requested criminal complaint. The FBI has more information than is revealed in the affidavit. The investigation seems to have been on for at least a few months if not longer.
The affidavit says Tellis got top security clearance in 2001 because of his work in Dept of State and Dept of Defence. He signed an agreement on Aug. 2, 2001 "agreeing to comply with laws and regulations that prohibit the unauthorized disclosure of classified information."
His actions as detailed by the FBI show he broke the basic rules.
It seems Tellis was observed accessing classified material in both the State Dept. and the Defense Dept., making copies and taking them out of the buildings. For some reason, he was under video surveillance. Also seen having dinner with Chinese officials days after where his conversations were overheard. A manila envelope he carried to the dinner was not seen when he left the restaurant.
(more) The affidavit details Tellis' visits to the two buildings from Sept. 12, 2025 to read and print various classified documents. In one case, he accessed a document with U.S. Air Force tactics techniques and procedures.
"On Sept 25: "At approximately 8:19 p.m., TELLIS opened a PDF file from the desktop with a filename that referenced adversary fighter aircraft and the year 2024. The file opened as a document with a title that referred to U.S. Air Force tactics techniques and procedures. The document had a Department of the Air Force Seal at the top and banner markings at the top and bottom that read SECRET//FGI//RSEN/NOFORN//FISA.1 The document was 1,288 pages in length. TELLIS then opened the print window but canceled out without printing. TELLIS re-saved the document, changing the file name to “Econ Reform”."
After printing a huge number of pages, "At approximately 8:49 p.m., TELLIS printed pages 943-959. At approximately 8:51 p.m., TELLIS deleted the file titled “Econ Reform”."
(more)

Senate confirmation hearing for @SergioGor as ambassador to India begins. @SecRubio introduces the nominee. Rubio says India is one of the top relationships for the US, the story of 21st century will be written in the Indo-Pacific and India is at the core of it. .@SecRubio No one has a closer relationship with the president than @SergioGor. He has the president's confidence. Has great administrative abilities.

Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s nuclear threat issued from US soil – from Tampa, Florida where CENTCOM headquarters are located -- is serious business. It's no small talk to threaten India and to “take half the world down with us." (more) Wonder if Delhi considers this a case for a strong demarche to get an answer from USG on the record? Deny he didn't say it although 130 people attended the dinner. Or accept and take action. A nuke threat against India & "half the world" should awaken folks in CENTCOM. (more)

Some thoughts: Trump's midnight tirade has pushed the India-US relations to a low point, the lowest since Clinton imposed punitive sanctions after India conducted nuclear tests in 1998. The language then as now was intemperate and insulting. (more) Then as now, India has reacted calmly at the official level, taken the presidential outbursts in its stride and refrained from insults even though today's India is economically stronger than in the 90s. Facts speak for themselves. The economy is not 'dead'-ask WBank/IMF (more)

Saw a copy of the said "memo". Let's just say it doesn't pass the smell test. First, the language & grammar are too poor to meet basic IFS standard. Elitist or not but I have covered the MEA for a bit - 30 yrs to be precise. I know how they write. 1/4

https://twitter.com/MazMHussain/status/1733857554457849883

2nd graf, an assault on the English language that wouldn't have got the recruit thru IFS & we're talking of the foreign secretary. "xxx have masterminded various arson and vandalization in North America x x " No way Jose. He would have written "acts of arson and vandalism." 2/4

Some quotable quotes from Indian foreign minister @DrSJaishankar at Carnegie India's Global Technology Summit 2022
"Technology is at the heart of geopolitics. We can't be agnostic about tech. Stop pretending there's something neutral about tech... no more neutral than economics." "In this era of tech inter-penetration.. it matters what happens inside the black box. Where does our data reside, who harvests data, what do they do with it..." :@DrSJaishankar at #GTS2022 @Rudra_81 @MohanCRaja

A few pointers from Indian foreign min @DrSJaishankar's presser: situation in Ukraine came up in various meetings across State, White House (NSA Sullivan) Commerce and USTR. “Conflict has a very direct impact on the global economy.” .@DrSJaishankar: Fair amount of time spent on the Indo-Pacific, reviewed progress and prep for next Quad meeting. How to take it forward. Lot of discussion on how Quad countries can promote greater economic coop in the region.

In the press interaction after IndiaUS 2+2 dialogue @SecBlinken was asked whether he had made a decision regarding CAATSA sanctions and India's purchase of the S-400. He said "We have not made a determination." #IndiaUSDialogue .@DrSJaishankar called the Quad a "powerful force of global good" and a "stabiliser." While the focus is all on Ukraine, he reminded his audience about Afghanistan and what that conflict brought to India's doorstep. #IndiaUSDialogue

My Letter From Washington: Oh, The Wise Men From the West, India too has national interests. The developing world will pay the real price for the sanctions. epaper.timesgroup.com/article-share?… The more western commentators push India, the more they convince Indians of the validity of neutrality, including those who felt India should have condemned Russia’s invasion. To single out India for special opprobrium when key US allies are playing neutral is doublespeak.

.@prashantktm interviews Ashley Tellis: Decoding India-US ties post-Ukraine. I believe that PM Modi was actually quite tough in his private conversations with Putin. But certainly, in public, India has maintained a studied neutrality... hindustantimes.com/world-news/pre… ..only because it wants to preserve whatever remnants of leverage it still has with the Russians – New Delhi does not want the Russians to reach the conclusion that they have only China as a partner, with India out there uninterested in preserving the relationship with Moscow."

My letter from Washington: Consolidating gains. India & US to sign BECA. India to "lease" two drones from USG very soon, 2+2 and a possible NSA meeting -- all before Nov. 3 election. Look at the various agreements in Indo-Pacific and a picture is emerging. epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TheE… The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) on sharing geospatial intelligence will be signed during the next ‘2+2’ dialogue in New Delhi. With Beca, India can get a closer look at Pakistan in all its bare necessities, training camps and all. Info traffic to be one-way.

.@Mike_Pence at the @USISPForum on the relationship between @realDonaldTrump & @narendramodi : They are both larger than life figures. People know where they stand (on issues). Relationship is deeply personal. .@VP Pence: The 4 mil people of the Indian diaspora represent some of the best opeople, creating wealth and prosperity. "We want to grow together. They should have no doubt about that." Want people to come to this country. Will fix the immigration sys once & for all. @USISPForum

Hearing in Human rights in South Asia has begun: @PramilaJayapal is attending tho not a member. As are two other members. Focus thus far on Kashmir and Assam. So the attack begins. @IlhanMN calls Modi govt as a Hindu majoritarian project! Her questions appear motivated. Calling for self determination for Kashmiri people. (Who briefed her. One guess)

.@DrSJaishankar at @USISPForum fireside chat on US-India relations: dramatic change. Not that common. Not a sector today where we not talking. Couldn’t have conceived of it earlier .@DrSJaishankar: when Nehru came to the US, there were 3,000 Indian Americans. Now more than a million. Numbers tell you something. Can’t imagine anyone doing what happened in Houston. #USISPF

Think tank tour of @DrSJaishankar extremely important. Here are some points made by him at the @AtlanticCouncil this morning. How India relates to the West: Two centuries of humiliation. A recent study shows that $45 trillion taken out of India by the British over 200 years. @DrSJaishankar @AtlanticCouncil .@DrSJaishankar: India made choices in 1947. Took what were western values and made them universal. If you believe democracy is an ethically superior model, it was because India sustained it.