Former US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has cautioned that the Trump administration’s relationship with India is at a “troubling inflexion point,” warning that escalating tariff tensions could undermine a partnership vital to countering China’s influence in Asia.
In a Newsweek opinion piece co-authored with Bill Drexel of the Hudson Institute, Haley said that undoing 25 years of progress with India “would be a strategic disaster.”
Her remarks come just days before a 25% US tariff on Indian imports is set to take effect. US President Donald Trump had earlier signed two executive orders — one on July 31 and another on August 6 — imposing additional duties in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
Haley criticised the approach, stating that while Washington is right to be concerned about India’s Russian oil imports, treating New Delhi as an adversary instead of a partner is “a massive and preventable mistake.”
She argued that India should not be equated with China, calling it “the prized free and democratic partner” with unmatched potential in global supply chains, defence, and security cooperation.
Haley urged the Trump administration to reverse the downward spiral by holding direct talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and strengthening the alliance with India, on par with the attention Washington devotes to China and Israel.
