PM, Vladimir Putin's car selfie in US Congress as lawmaker warns of strained ties
In a surprising and highly symbolic moment on Capitol Hill, a now-famous car selfie featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin made its way into a US Congressional hearing on foreign policy. The image, held up as a poster by Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, became the centre of a heated discussion around the future of the US-India partnership.
A Selfie That Sparked Global Attention
The photograph, which earlier went viral globally, resurfaced in Washington as Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove used it as a visual cue to highlight what she called growing diplomatic missteps by the US administration. She warned that such actions are inadvertently pushing India closer to Russia rather than strengthening one of America’s most critical strategic relationships.
“Act With Urgency,” Congresswoman Warns
During her remarks, Kamlager-Dove urged fellow lawmakers to recognise the seriousness of the situation. She stated that Congress must “move with incredible urgency to mitigate the damage this administration has done to the US-India partnership and return to steady cooperation.” According to her, the issue is not India drifting away, but the United States “undermining the partnership” through inconsistent foreign policy signals.
A Strategic Relationship at a Crossroads
India and the United States have, over the past two decades, built a deep and mutually beneficial relationship spanning defence, technology, trade, and regional security. But recent tensions surrounding global alignments, particularly India’s longstanding ties with Russia, have raised concerns within sections of the US political establishment.
The unexpected use of the Modi–Putin selfie in the Congressional hearing underscores how symbolic gestures can become focal points in diplomatic debates. It also highlights the urgency lawmakers feel about recalibrating US engagement with India at a time when global geopolitical dynamics are rapidly shifting.
Looking Ahead
As Washington reassesses its strategies in Asia, the message from Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove is clear: the US-India relationship is too important to risk. The ball, as she suggests, is now firmly in America’s court to ensure the partnership remains strong, stable, and future-ready.
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