Amid rising tensions over the US imposing 50% tariffs on India, former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has called for a reassessment of US-India relations and urged Washington to see India as a “valued independent and democratic partner” rather than a rival like China.
In her opinion piece for Newsweek, Haley warned that ignoring India’s role as a counterweight to Chinese dominance in Asia, especially in light of China’s evasion of sanctions on Russian oil purchases, would be a “strategic disaster” after 25 years of bilateral ties.
“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.
India Natural Choice To Counter China
Haley highlighted that, unlike communist-controlled China, the rise of democratic India is not a threat to the free world, and asserted that the partnership between the US and India is a clear and natural choice to counter China.
“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,” ANI quoted Haley as saying.
India’s Potential To Match China’s Manufacturing Scale
While pointing out India’s potential to manufacture at a scale similar to China, Nikki Haley said India is essential in helping the United States move its critical supply chains away from China.
“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,” Nikki Haley said in the opinion piece.
India’s Growing Clout In Middle East
Haley noted that India’s rising influence and security role in the Middle East could help stabilize the region as the U.S. scales back its military and financial presence.
“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,” ANI quoted Haley as saying.
India: Fastest-Growing Major Economy
In the Newsweek article, Haley further pointed out that India is the world’s fastest-growing major economy and will soon overtake Japan. She said India’s rise is the “greatest obstacle to China’s goal of reshaping the global order.”
“Simply put, China’s ambitions will have to shrink as India’s power grows,” ANI quoted Haley as saying.
India’s Territorial Disputes With China
Highlighting India’s conflicting economic interests and ongoing territorial disputes with China, including the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, Haley argued that a stronger partnership with the US would not only serve American interests but also enable India to adopt a more assertive economic and military stance against its northern neighbor.
In her opinion piece on Newsweek, Haley said that it would be a big and preventable mistake to turn the trade dispute between the US and India into a permanent rift. She also expressed concern about China taking advantage of the situation. She advised India to take US President Donald Trump’s point on Russian oil seriously and work with the White House to find a solution.
