Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has taken a critical view of Donald Trump’s stance on India, stating that New Delhi must be treated like a “prized free and democratic partner” and not
like an “adversary” like Beijing.
She referred to the years of efforts put in to draw India closer to the United States and said that “scuttling” this momentum would be a “strategic disaster”.
In an opinion piece published in Newsweek, Haley also criticised Trump for not imposing additional tariffs on China for its imports of Russian oil and putting sanctions on India instead for doing the same, arguing that New Delhi’s rise does not threaten the free world, “unlike Communist-controlled China”.
“India must be treated like the prized free and democratic partner that it is – not an adversary like China, which has thus far avoided sanctions for its Russian oil purchases, despite being one of Moscow’s largest customers. If that disparity does not demand a closer look at U.S.-India relations, the realities of hard power should. Scuttling 25 years of momentum with the only country that can serve as a counterweight to Chinese dominance in Asia would be a strategic disaster,” Nikki Haley said in her opinion piece on Newsweek, ANI reported.
“Unlike Communist-controlled China, the rise of a democratic India does not threaten the free world. Partnership between the U.S. and India to counter China should be a no-brainer,” she added.
Haley highlighted that India has the potential to manufacture at a scale similar to China for items that can help the US shift its critical supply chains away from Beijing.
“In the short term, India is essential in helping the United States move its critical supply chains away from China. While the Trump administration works to bring manufacturing back to our shores, India stands alone in its potential to manufacture at a China-like scale for products that can’t be quickly or efficiently produced here, like textiles, inexpensive phones, and solar panels,” Haley said.
“India’s growing clout and security involvement in the Middle East could prove essential in helping to stabilise the region as America seeks to send fewer troops and dollars there. And India’s location at the centre of China’s vital trade and energy flows could complicate Beijing’s options in the case of a major conflict… Simply put, China’s ambitions will have to shrink as India’s power grows,” she added.
She also advised India to take Trump’s view on Russian oil imports seriously and work with the White House to find a solution. At the same time, she urged Trump to “reverse the downward spiral” and hold direct talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The sooner the better,” she said.
“The administration should focus on mending the rift with India and giving the relationship more high-level attention and resources–approaching what the U.S. devotes to China or Israel,” Haley added.
India-US relations have witnessed a downward shift after Trump announced 50% tariffs on India for its decision to continue buying Russian oil, while giving a long rope to China, which is the largest importer of Russian energy.
