US Congressman Rich McCormick, a Republican, recently underscored India's pivotal economic and strategic importance to the United States, drawing a clear distinction between India and Pakistan. Speaking at an event hosted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) around January 12-17, 2026, McCormick stated that while India actively brings investments into America, Pakistan, despite its large population of nearly 300 million, does not contribute similarly to the US economy. He further highlighted India's role as a significant source of global talent, particularly in key sectors of the US economy, noting that India is 'supplying a tremendous amount of talent.' McCormick cautioned that alienating India would pose 'big trouble for all of us,' emphasizing the shared commonalities in economics, freedom, and the advancement of people between the two nations. These sentiments were echoed and backed by Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, a Democrat, who affirmed that US companies consistently prioritize India over Pakistan for long-term, multi-billion dollar investments. Bera clarified that routine diplomatic engagement with Pakistan should not be mistaken for a strategic partnership, stressing that America's strategic focus and investments overwhelmingly favor India. Lawmakers emphasized that India has been central to the US Indo-Pacific strategy across multiple administrations, from Clinton through Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden, reinforcing its indispensable role as a long-term strategic partner. The lawmakers' statements came amidst discussions regarding recent US outreach to Islamabad, aimed at reaffirming New Delhi as America's core partner in the region.