Trump & PM Modi should hold direct talks on ‘urgent priority’: Ex-US envoy Nikki Haley
The partnership between India and the United States is a “no-brainer” when it comes to countering the growing influence of China, according to President Donald Trump’s Republican colleague and former US envoy Nikki Haley. In a recent statement, she emphasized the need for direct talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump to mend the strained ties between the two nations.
The tensions between India and the US have been escalating over the past few months, with the Indian government imposing tariffs on 28 US products, including almonds, apples, and flat steel, in response to the US’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and impose sanctions on Iran. The US, in turn, has imposed tariffs on 50% of Indian exports, including steel and aluminum, citing national security concerns.
Haley, who served as the US Ambassador to the United Nations from 2017 to 2019, believes that the most pressing priority should be to reverse the downward spiral in the relationship between the two nations. She emphasized that direct talks between Trump and Modi are essential to resolving the issues and restoring the partnership to its former strength.
“India and the United States share a common goal of promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, and our partnership is a key component of achieving this goal,” Haley said in a statement. “However, recent tensions between our two nations have raised concerns about the direction of our relationship. The most urgent priority should be to reverse the downward spiral, which will require direct talks between President Trump and PM Modi.”
Haley’s statement comes at a time when the India-US relationship is facing its biggest test in recent years. The tariffs imposed by both sides have had a significant impact on businesses and industries on both sides, with many companies and organizations calling for a resolution to the dispute.
The Indian government has been vocal about its concerns over the US’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and impose sanctions on Iran. India has traditionally been a significant consumer of Iranian oil and has been seeking exemptions from the US sanctions to continue its energy imports from Iran.
The US, on the other hand, has been pressing India to reduce its oil imports from Iran and to increase its purchases of US crude oil. The US has also been critical of India’s decision to buy the S-400 air defense system from Russia, which is subject to US sanctions.
Despite the tensions, both sides have been trying to find a way to resolve the dispute and restore the partnership to its former strength. In recent months, there have been several high-level meetings between Indian and US officials, including a meeting between Trump and Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France in August.
However, Haley believes that direct talks between Trump and Modi are essential to resolving the issues and restoring the partnership. She emphasized that the two leaders have a unique opportunity to shape the future of the India-US relationship and to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The India-US partnership is a powerful force for good in the world, and it is essential that we work together to promote our shared values and interests,” Haley said. “Direct talks between President Trump and PM Modi are crucial to resolving the current tensions and to ensuring that our partnership remains strong and resilient in the years to come.”
Haley’s statement has been widely welcomed by businesses and organizations on both sides, who are calling for a resolution to the dispute and a restoration of the India-US partnership to its former strength. The Indian government has also been supportive of Haley’s statement, with officials saying that the country is committed to promoting its partnership with the US and to resolving the current tensions.
In conclusion, the partnership between India and the United States is a “no-brainer” when it comes to countering the growing influence of China. However, the recent tensions between the two nations have raised concerns about the direction of their relationship. Direct talks between President Trump and PM Modi are essential to resolving the issues and restoring the partnership to its former strength.
