Nikki Haley, a prominent Republican leader and former US Ambassador to the United Nations, has urged India to "take Trump's point over Russian oil seriously". In a statement made on August 24, 2025, Haley called for India to work with the White House to find a resolution "sooner" regarding its imports of Russian oil.

Haley emphasized the importance of the India-US partnership, highlighting their shared goals as the world's two largest democracies. She suggested that the long-standing friendship and goodwill between the two nations provide a firm foundation for navigating current challenges.

In a post on social media platform X, Haley stated, "India must take Trump's point over Russian oil seriously, and work with the White House to find a solution. The sooner the better". She also acknowledged that "navigating issues like trade disagreements and Russian oil imports demands hard dialogue". Despite these challenges, Haley stressed that the two countries "should not lose sight of what matters most: our shared goals".

Haley has emphasized India's strategic importance to the United States, particularly in the context of countering China. She previously stressed that Washington's priority should be to reverse the "downward spiral" in ties with New Delhi and treat India as a "prized free and democratic" partner, not as an adversary. She believes that the US needs a friend in India to effectively face China.

In an opinion piece co-authored with Bill Drexel for Newsweek, Haley highlighted India's strategic role in helping the US move its critical supply chains away from China. She noted India's potential to manufacture at a China-like scale for products that cannot be quickly or efficiently produced in the US, such as textiles, inexpensive phones, and solar panels.

Haley acknowledged that President Trump is "right" to target India's purchases of Russian oil, which are helping to fund Russia's war against Ukraine. However, she also stated that India is not an adversary. She has faced some criticism for seemingly siding with India amidst trade tensions. Despite this, she has drawn attention to the need for India to be mindful of US concerns.

Haley pointed out India's growing significance on the world stage. She noted that India surpassed China as the world's most populous country in 2023 and has a young workforce, contrasting with China's aging population. She also highlighted India as the world's fastest-growing major economy, soon to be the fourth largest.

While the US continues to import certain goods from Russia, such as uranium hexafluoride, palladium, fertilizers, and chemicals, Haley has asserted that India's rise does not threaten the free world. She has advocated for strengthening the US-India partnership and resolving trade issues to achieve shared goals.