Bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress has been an anchor of India–U.S. relations. Critically analyse whether this consensus holds in an era of divided government.

India–U.S. relations "enjoy strong bipartisan support in the US Congress," and the India Caucus has more than 100 members [1]. In the 3 November 2026 midterms, all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are being contested [2], and the result could produce divided government. The consensus is likely to hold on strategic matters but come under strain on trade.

Where the consensus holds

• Continuity across parties: India has worked with "successive US Administrations – Republican and Democrat." The Major Defence Partnership (2016) and the new 10-year defence framework (2025) were agreed under different parties [1].
• Defence trade: Purchases of U.S.-origin equipment exceed $20 billion, including the C-17, Apache, P-8I and MQ-9B [1]. This is a shared stake that has lasted through changes of government.
• Ties with legislators: The Senate and House India Caucuses, and outreach such as the multi-party parliamentary delegation after Operation Sindoor (June 2025), connect India directly with lawmakers of both parties [1].
• Shared strategic interest: Indo-Pacific security and the Quad have support across party lines [1].

Where it is under strain

• Tariff power has moved back to Congress: In Learning Resources v. Trump (20 February 2026), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the IEEPA emergency law does not let the President impose tariffs [3]. The fallback Section 122 tariffs are capped at 15% and 150 days unless Congress extends them [4]. Any lasting tariff on Indian goods therefore depends on how the parties divide in Congress.
• Uneven exposure: Under the February 2026 framework, the U.S. set an 18% reciprocal tariff. India agreed to cut tariffs on all U.S. industrial goods and said it intends to buy $500 billion of U.S. goods [5]. India's concessions are fixed, while the U.S. rate is now open to change by a new Congress.
• Narrow margins: Republicans hold a slim House majority and 53 Senate seats [2]. Small swings could change who chairs committees and what Congress chooses to investigate.
• Partisan issues: Goodwill towards India does not guarantee votes on tariffs or work visas, where the parties are split.

Overall, bipartisanship gives the relationship a stable strategic base, but it does not settle trade terms under divided government. New Delhi should reach out to members of both parties in Congress, not only the White House. It should also add a rebalancing clause to the interim trade deal and widen its export markets. That would keep the partnership anchored in shared democratic values whichever party controls Congress [1].