Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has urged Washington to treat India as a “prized free and democratic partner,” warning that jeopardizing decades of progress in bilateral relations would be a “strategic disaster.” Writing in Newsweek, Haley stressed that India is the only democratic power in Asia capable of counterbalancing China’s growing influence.
She argued that unlike Beijing, New Delhi’s rise does not threaten the global order. “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,” Haley wrote, noting that a U.S.-India partnership should be a “no-brainer.”
Haley emphasized that India’s manufacturing potential could play a pivotal role in helping the United States reduce reliance on China for critical supply chains. While Washington attempts to bring some production home, she noted, India alone offers the scale to produce goods such as textiles, budget smartphones, and solar panels—items that cannot be easily replicated in the U.S.
She also highlighted India’s growing strategic role in the Middle East, where its expanding security footprint could help stabilize the region as the U.S. reduces its military commitments. India’s geographic position along China’s key trade and energy routes, she added, could complicate Beijing’s strategic options in the event of conflict.
Pointing to India’s rapid economic growth—soon expected to surpass Japan—Haley described New Delhi’s rise as one of the greatest obstacles to China’s ambition of reshaping the global order. “Simply put, China’s ambitions will have to shrink as India’s power grows,” she said, while also reminding readers of India’s border clashes with China, including the deadly Galwan Valley incident in 2020.
Haley cautioned that escalating trade tensions, including the Trump administration’s decision to impose tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods, could lead to a lasting rupture that benefits Beijing. She advised India to seriously address Washington’s concerns on Russian oil imports but urged the White House to mend relations quickly.
Calling on President Donald Trump to hold direct talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Haley insisted the U.S. must dedicate the same high-level attention and resources to India as it does to China and Israel. “To face China, the United States must have a friend in India,” she concluded.
