The late release of casualty figures at the gathering of millions of people was seen as shielding the political fortunes of a local leader with national aspirations.

Ms. Gabbard grew up in a secretive offshoot of the Hare Krishna movement and has made a dizzying journey from conservative to liberal darling to Trump ally.

Industrial growth, the stock market and the rupee are sinking, and most consumers earn too little to buoy them, stymieing India’s drive to become a developed economy.

An upward trajectory in relations is “almost inevitable,” the U.S. ambassador, Eric Garcetti, said in an interview before leaving his post.