Amid rising tensions between Washington and New Delhi, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has cautioned the Trump administration against treating India as an adversary, emphasizing the critical need to maintain strong ties to counter China's growing global influence. Haley's remarks come in response to President Trump's imposition of punitive tariffs on India, including a 25% tariff on Indian goods and an additional 25% levy for purchasing Russian oil.

Haley, in a recent Newsweek op-ed, argued that the U.S.-India relationship is nearing a breaking point and that it is crucial to get relations back on track if America hopes to contain China's global ambitions. She acknowledged Trump's concerns regarding India's Russian oil imports, which are seen as funding Russia's war against Ukraine, and India's historically protectionist trade policies. However, she stressed that India should be regarded as a "prized free and democratic partner," not as an adversary like China.

Haley highlighted the fundamental difference between India and China, noting that "unlike Communist-controlled China, the rise of a democratic India does not threaten the free world". She pointed out that India and China have conflicting economic interests, ongoing territorial disputes, and have engaged in lethal skirmishes over contested borders. In this context, she asserted that it would serve America's interests to support India in standing up to its increasingly aggressive northern neighbor, both economically and militarily.

Haley has urged the U.S. to strengthen its relationship with India to counter China, warning of a "strategic disaster" if the relationship deteriorates. She emphasized that "to face China, the United States must have a friend in India". She cautioned against "balloon[ing] a trade spat between the United States and India into an enduring rupture".

Haley criticized the administration for giving China a "90-day tariff pause" while imposing tariffs on India, despite China being a major buyer of Russian and Iranian oil. She stated that the U.S. should not "burn a relationship with a strong ally like India" and give a pass to China.

The former U.S. Ambassador's comments underscore the importance of the U.S.-India relationship in the context of global geopolitics. As tensions rise, Haley's counsel serves as a reminder of the strategic value of a strong alliance with India in countering China's influence and promoting a free and democratic world.