U.S. ought to deal with India as ‘prized free, democratic’ accomplice: Nikki Haley

The U.S.’s precedence ought to be to reverse the “downward spiral” in ties with India, Republican chief Nikki Haley has stated, stressing that New Delhi have to be handled as a “prized free and democratic” accomplice.

The Indian-American chief’s remarks in an opinion piece within the Newsweek journal on Wednesday (August 20, 2025) got here amid pressure in ties between the 2 international locations following President Donald Trump slapping 50% tariff on Indian items.

Ms. Haley, the previous U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, stated that few goals are extra essential to the Trump administration’s overseas coverage objectives of “outcompeting China and attaining peace by way of power” than placing “U.S.-India relations back on track”.

For this, she stated, “India must be treated like the prized free and democratic partner that it is — not an adversary like China”, which, she stated, has up to now prevented sanctions for its Russian oil purchases, regardless of being one among Moscow’s “largest customers”.

‘Reverse downward spiral’ in relations: Haley

President Trump has doubled tariffs on Indian items to a whopping 50%, together with a 25% further obligation for India’s buy of Russian crude oil.

Ms. Haley stated if this disparity doesn’t demand a better take a look at U.S.-India relations, the “realities of hard power should”.

She stated Washington’s “most urgent priority should be to reverse the downward spiral” in bilateral ties with New Delhi.

“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,” she stated.

‘Crucial asset’

Ms. Haley confused that India is significant to U.S. efforts to shift provide chains from China, with the capability to supply at scale in areas like textiles, telephones, and photo voltaic panels.

She added that New Delhi’s increasing defence ties with the U.S. and allies make it a “crucial asset to the free world’s security”, and its rising position in West Asia, and strategic location alongside China’s commerce routes make it a key safety and financial accomplice.

Ms. Haley, the previous Governor of South Carolina, was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations underneath Mr. Trump’s first presidential time period, changing into the primary Indian-American to be appointed to a cabinet-level put up within the U.S. administration.

In 2023, she formally introduced her candidacy for the 2024 presidential election and withdrew from the race in March final 12 months.