Washington DC , Aug 21(HS):

Former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has cautioned President Donald Trump against souring ties with India, warning that antagonizing New Delhi would be a “strategic blunder” at a time when Washington needs strong allies to confront China’s growing ambitions.

In an opinion piece for Newsweek, Haley urged US policymakers to view India as a “valuable democratic partner” rather than an adversary. She argued that India, unlike China, is a rising power whose growth does not threaten the world but instead provides a counterbalance to Beijing’s authoritarian influence.

“India is the only country in Asia capable of checking China’s dominance,” Haley wrote, highlighting New Delhi’s expanding defense capabilities and its stabilizing role in the Middle East. She also stressed that India’s vast manufacturing capacity could help the US reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.

Her remarks come amid an escalating US-India trade dispute, after Trump imposed a 25% reciprocal tariff and an additional 25% duty on Indian goods, set to take effect on August 27. Haley warned that prolonged trade tensions would push India closer to China — undermining US efforts to curb Beijing’s global ambitions.

Calling India the world’s fastest-growing major economy, Haley said a stronger India would naturally weaken China’s bid for global dominance. “The US-India partnership serves both nations’ interests. Together we can stand more firmly against China,” she concluded.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar