Trump & PM Modi should hold direct talks on ‘urgent priority’: Ex-US envoy Nikki Haley
The global landscape has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the rise of China as a major economic and military power. In response, the United States and India, two of the world’s largest democracies, have been strengthening their strategic partnership. However, amidst the growing tensions between the two nations over the 50% tariff imposed by the US on Indian goods, a former US envoy has called for direct talks between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mend the ties.
Nikki Haley, a Republican colleague of President Trump and former US Ambassador to the United Nations, has emphasized that the partnership between India and the US is a “no-brainer” to counter China’s growing influence. She believes that the most urgent priority is to reverse the downward spiral in their relations, which can only be achieved through direct talks between the two leaders.
The tensions between India and the US have been escalating since the US imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods in June, in retaliation to India’s retaliatory tariffs on US goods. The move has led to a significant decline in bilateral trade, which has affected both economies. The US is one of India’s largest trading partners, and India is the US’s 9th largest trade partner.
Haley’s call for direct talks between Trump and Modi comes at a critical juncture when the two nations are locked in a trade war. India had imposed retaliatory tariffs on 28 US products, including almonds, apples, and walnuts, in response to the US tariffs on steel and aluminum. The US, in turn, has threatened to impose further tariffs on Indian goods.
The diplomatic row has also affected the defense and security ties between the two nations. India has been seeking more advanced military equipment from the US, but the trade tensions have slowed down the process. The US has also been pressing India to increase its defense spending, which has been a long-standing demand.
Haley’s proposal for direct talks between Trump and Modi is significant, given the high stakes involved. The two leaders have a good rapport, and their meeting could help to resolve the trade tensions and strengthen the bilateral ties. Modi and Trump have met on several occasions, including at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, in June.
The partnership between India and the US is based on shared values, strategic interests, and economic ties. The two nations have been working together on several fronts, including defense, security, and trade. The US has been supporting India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group and has been critical of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
In recent years, the US and India have been strengthening their defense ties, with the US providing advanced military equipment and technology to India. The two nations have also been cooperating on counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics efforts.
The economic ties between the US and India are significant, with the US being one of India’s largest trading partners. India is the US’s 9th largest trade partner, and the US is India’s 10th largest trade partner. The bilateral trade between the two nations has been growing steadily, with a total trade value of over $150 billion in 2019.
In conclusion, Haley’s call for direct talks between Trump and Modi is a timely reminder of the urgent need for the two nations to resolve their trade tensions and strengthen their bilateral ties. The partnership between India and the US is a “no-brainer” to counter China’s growing influence, and the two nations must work together to achieve their strategic objectives.
