In July 1982, President Ronald Reagan welcomed Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to the White House, calling the U.S. and India “two proud, free peoples” with the same destination despite different paths. More than four decades later, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley argues that the U.S.-India partnership is once again at a critical crossroads.

Haley stresses that to achieve America’s foreign policy goals—especially countering China—the Trump administration must prioritize repairing ties with India. Recent tensions have risen over India’s purchase of Russian oil and U.S. tariffs on Indian goods. While Haley acknowledges Trump’s concerns about Russian oil funding Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, she emphasizes that India should be treated as a vital democratic partner, not like adversaries such as China.

According to Haley, India’s importance spans multiple domains: diversifying U.S. supply chains away from China, strengthening defense ties, supporting stability in the Middle East, and positioning itself as a counterweight to Beijing’s ambitions. With its young population and fast-growing economy, India’s rise is one of the most significant geopolitical shifts of the 21st century.

Haley warns that letting trade disputes spiral into a rupture would be a strategic mistake, one that China would exploit. Instead, she urges both nations to hold direct talks—particularly between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi—to resolve differences and reinforce shared goals.

Decades of goodwill, Haley notes, provide a strong foundation for moving past turbulence. She concludes that the U.S. cannot afford to alienate India. To face China effectively, Washington must strengthen its friendship with New Delhi.