Haley: “To face China, the United States must have a friend in India”

Haley argued that unravelling a quarter-century of momentum in bilateral ties would be a “strategic disaster.”

Nikki Haley / Wikimedia commons

Former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley on Aug. 20 warned that the Trump administration cannot afford to sideline India at a time of intensifying rivalry with China. Writing in Newsweek with co-author Bill Drexel, she declared: “To face China, the United States must have a friend in India.”

Haley argued that unravelling a quarter-century of momentum in bilateral ties would be a “strategic disaster.” She urged President Trump to halt the “downward spiral” in relations and engage Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly, stressing that the sooner such dialogue happens, the better.

"As for the United States, the most urgent priority should be to reverse the downward spiral, which will require direct talks between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The sooner the better. The administration should focus on mending the rift with India and giving the relationship more high-level attention and resources—approaching what the US devotes to China or Israel," she wrote.

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The column underscored India’s economic and strategic importance, noting its capacity to manufacture goods at scale and provide a vital alternative to Chinese supply chains. Haley also described India as a “prized free and democratic partner” whose expanding role in defense and the Middle East enhances regional stability.

Looking ahead, she wrote that “China’s ambitions will have to shrink as India’s power grows,” framing New Delhi’s rise as a decisive factor in the global balance of power.

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