Haley Urges U.S. to Mend India Ties to Counter China
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has warned that weakening ties with India would be a “strategic disaster” for the United States. She urged the Trump administration to reset relations with New Delhi and treat India as a valued democratic partner instead of allowing friction to deepen.
Concerns Over Tariff Policies
Her comments come amid growing strain caused by high U.S. tariffs on Indian exports and Washington’s objections to India’s continued imports of Russian oil. Haley criticized these measures as counterproductive, noting that such steps risk undoing over two decades of progress in building a strong bilateral partnership. She cautioned that undermining India at this moment would damage U.S. efforts to balance China’s growing influence in Asia.
India’s Strategic Importance
Haley emphasized India’s importance to global supply chains, pointing out its capacity to produce at scale in manufacturing, textiles, affordable technology, and renewable energy. She said India’s industrial strength could help reduce overdependence on China, while also boosting resilience in critical sectors like solar panels and mobile devices.
Role in Security and Stability
She further noted that India plays a growing role in regional security, including defense cooperation in Asia and the Middle East. Its geographical position along major trade and energy routes gives it leverage that could complicate Chinese strategies. According to Haley, this makes India indispensable for U.S. foreign policy goals.
Call for High-Level Engagement
Haley urged President Trump to “reverse the downward spiral” by engaging directly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She insisted that U.S.–India ties deserve the same high-level attention as Washington’s relationships with other key allies such as Israel.
