Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has clearly warned that US-India relations are on the verge of breaking. She said that if the US wants to curb China's growing ambitions, it will have to prioritize relations with India.
In an article published in Newsweek on wednesday (August 20, 2025), Haley wrote that the US should not ignore the most important thing that our target is China. To face it, the US should have a friend in the form of India.
Dispute over tariff and Russian oil
Haley's statement comes at a time when tensions have increased between the US and india over trade disputes and Russian oil imports. President donald trump has imposed a 25% reciprocal duty and an additional 25% tariff on india for continuing to buy Russian oil, which will come into effect from august 27. Haley admitted that russia is getting financial help for the ukraine war because of India's purchase of oil, but at the same time she warned that treating india like an enemy would be a strategic mistake.
India's important role in stopping China
Haley said that india is the only country that can counter China's dominance in Asia. india has the capability to manufacture on a scale like china, which can help America to meet its supply chain demand through india instead of China. India's strong defense relations with countries like America and israel make it important for the security of the world. Haley believes that in the coming times, india will weaken China's ambitions.
Appeal for Trump-Modi talks
Haley suggested that President donald trump and prime minister Narendra Modi should talk directly so that the misunderstandings that have arisen between the two countries can be removed. She said that if this does not happen, china will take advantage of this rift. In her article, Haley mentioned what US President Ronald Reagan had said to indira gandhi in 1982. She wrote that America and india may sometimes take different paths, but their destination should remain the same. Haley reiterated that it is important for America to maintain friendship with india to face the challenge of China.
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