Republican leader Nikki Haley has emphasised the strategic importance of the US having India as an ally to counter China. In a statement on Saturday, she urged New Delhi to take seriously the points raised by US President Donald Trump regarding India's purchase of Russian oil.
Her comments come amid a dispute over Trump's tariffs on Indian goods and India's continued energy trade with Russia, which is fueling the war in Ukraine. Haley, a former US ambassador to the UN, believes that the long-standing friendship and goodwill between the world's two largest democracies provide a strong foundation to overcome the current tensions.
She posted on X, stating, “India must take Trump's point over Russian oil seriously, and work with the White House to find a solution. The sooner the better. Decades of friendship and goodwill between the world's two largest democracies provide a solid basis to move past the current turbulence.”
She further elaborated on the necessity of the partnership, writing, "Navigating issues like trade disagreements and Russian oil imports demands hard dialogue. But, we should not lose sight of what matters most: our shared goals. To face China, the United States must have a friend in India.”
Also Read: Nikki Haley roots for Trump
The tariffs and India's defense of its energy policy
The controversy stems from the Trump administration's imposition of additional US tariffs on Indian goods, which are among the steepest penalties he has levied. A 25 pc tariff is already in effect, with another 25 pc tariff scheduled to take effect on August 27. These tariffs are linked to New Delhi's growing energy trade with Moscow following the war in Ukraine.
India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, strongly defended the country's energy choices on Saturday. He asserted that India would continue to make decisions based on its national interest and strategic autonomy, irrespective of international scrutiny and Trump's tariff threats. Jaishankar pointed out a perceived double standard in the US stance.
“It is presented as an oil issue, but it’s still not applied to the largest importer, China. Arguments used to target India have not been applied to China,” Jaishankar said. He emphasised that India alone would decide its course of action, adding, “At the end of it all, we make decisions that are in national interest.”
Also Read: Nikki Haley urges Trump: Fix US-India ties, warns of China threat
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