New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has voiced confidence that India and the United States will eventually find common ground on the recently imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, along with an additional 25 per cent penalty linked to New Delhi’s purchase of discounted crude oil from Russia.
Speaking during his visit to India, Murphy underscored the strategic importance of New Jersey’s ties with India, while acknowledging the complexities posed by global geopolitics. “The sub-national relationship between New Jersey and India is so important. It’s easy to be here when times are good, but it’s even more important to be here when times are choppy. I’m not a tariff guy. Russia is an aggressor nation and needs to be squeezed, period. But I’m optimistic we’ll find some kind of common ground,” he said.
Murphy stressed that while pressure on Russia was necessary to end the Ukraine war, Washington should avoid damaging its partnership with New Delhi. “Russia deserves what’s coming at them, but there’s got to be a way to do it without breaking down one of the most important relationships in the world for us,” he added, noting bipartisan concern in the US about the tariff approach.
The governor also raised concerns about the student visa process, noting that more than 2,000 Indian students are still awaiting approvals. He urged both nations to work toward easing these hurdles. “We also need to find more common ground on visas, particularly student visas. I believe we will, but it won’t happen overnight,” Murphy said.
Commenting on recent shifts in US policy, Murphy observed that new administrations often take “over-corrective” measures. “When new regimes come in, they often go to an extreme early on, and then revert to the mean over time. I pray and believe that will happen here. We have to get the student visa process more ironed out,” he remarked.