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India ‘not a good ally to U.S.’: Nalin Haley
His remarks came amid ongoing U.S.–India trade discussions and triggered sharp reactions online.
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Staff Reporter - Sat, 31, Jan 2026
- 15:21 EST
- 151
Nalin Haley / Instagram (Nalin Haley)
Nalin Haley, the son of former U.S. ambassador and Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, has sparked an online debate over India’s role and reliability as a strategic partner of the United States.
In a post on X on Jan. 30, Haley wrote, “India has not been a good ‘ally’ to America. They send cheap labor to the US, buy cheap oil from Iran, and cheap weapons from Russia because they have a cheap government. And it’s not just India. The United States needs to reevaluate their relationship with a lot of ‘allies’.”
India has not been a good "ally" to America. They send cheap labor to the US, buy cheap oil from Iran, and cheap weapons from Russia because they have a cheap government.
— Nalin Haley (@Nalin_Haley) January 30, 2026
And it’s not just India. The United States needs to reevaluate their relationship with a lot of "allies" https://t.co/Zf87aYiRYS
Also Read: Nalin Haley trolled for backing U.S. strikes on Venezuela
The post drew immediate pushback, particularly on his claims regarding oil imports from Iran and India’s defense purchases from Russia.
Entrepreneur and podcaster Prakhar Gupta replied, “The US actively funds Pakistan and Pakistani militant groups. The US funds regime changes around the subcontinent. The US speaks of occupying its own neighbors and allies’ land. The US is nobody’s ally in 2026. And we are ok to be business partners who get along. We don't need lil bro’s economic slavery definition of allyship.”
The US actively funds pakistan and pakistani militant groups.
— Prakhar Gupta (@prvkhvr) January 31, 2026
The US funds regime changes around the sub continent.
The US speaks of occupying its own neighbours and allies’ land.
The US is nobody’s ally in 2026. And we are ok to be business partners who get along. We dont… https://t.co/KSGTMXUyby
Several users also disputed Haley’s claim about Iranian oil, noting that India largely complied with U.S. sanctions after Washington withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018 and that Iran is not among India’s top crude suppliers.
Haley’s post also referenced earlier remarks by Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who has argued for closer U.S.–India ties as a counterweight to China, reflecting differing views within American conservative circles on how to approach India.
The exchange comes at a time when New Delhi and Washington are engaged in ongoing trade and diplomatic discussions.
Bilateral trade between India and the U.S. stood at $212.3 billion in 2024, even as India continues to maintain diversified energy and defense ties under its policy of strategic autonomy.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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