Trump & PM Modi should hold direct talks on ‘urgent priority’: Ex-US envoy Nikki Haley
In a bid to strengthen the partnership between India and the United States, a prominent Republican colleague of President Donald Trump has called for direct talks between PM Narendra Modi and Trump to address ongoing tensions over 50% tariff. Ex-US envoy Nikki Haley, in a recent statement, emphasized the importance of reversing the downward spiral in Indo-US relations, which she believes can only be achieved through face-to-face discussions between the two leaders.
Haley’s remarks come at a time when the India-US partnership is facing significant challenges, with the imposition of 50% tariff on Indian goods by the US government being a major point of contention. The move has led to a deterioration in bilateral ties, with New Delhi hitting back with retaliatory tariffs. Against this backdrop, Haley’s call for direct talks between Trump and Modi assumes significance, as it highlights the need for urgent and decisive action to resolve the dispute.
In an interview, Haley described the partnership between India and the US as a “no-brainer” to counter the growing influence of China in the region. She emphasized that the two nations share common values and interests, and that a strong partnership between them would be crucial in promoting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
“The most urgent priority should be to reverse the downward spiral, which will require direct talks between President Trump and PM Modi,” Haley said, underlining the importance of personal diplomacy in resolving the crisis. She also emphasized that the talks should be focused on finding a mutually beneficial solution that addresses the concerns of both countries.
Haley’s call for direct talks between Trump and Modi is significant, as it comes at a time when the US-India relationship is facing its most significant test in recent years. The imposition of 50% tariff on Indian goods by the US government has led to a deterioration in bilateral ties, with both sides engaging in a war of words over the issue.
The tariff dispute is just one aspect of a broader trend of rising tensions between India and the US. In recent months, there have been growing concerns in New Delhi about the US government’s shift towards a more protectionist trade policy, which is seen as a threat to India’s economic interests.
Despite these challenges, Haley remains optimistic about the potential for the India-US partnership to grow stronger in the future. She emphasized that the two nations share common values and interests, and that a strong partnership between them would be crucial in promoting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
“The India-US partnership is a no-brainer,” Haley said, highlighting the potential benefits of a closer relationship between the two nations. “We both share a common commitment to democracy, freedom, and human rights. We both believe in the importance of a rules-based international order. And we both recognize the growing threat posed by China’s aggressive behavior in the region.”
Haley’s remarks are likely to resonate with many in New Delhi, who have long seen the India-US partnership as a crucial component of India’s foreign policy. The partnership has grown significantly in recent years, with the US and India signing a range of agreements aimed at deepening cooperation in areas such as defense, technology, and trade.
Despite these advances, however, there are still significant challenges to be addressed. Haley’s call for direct talks between Trump and Modi is a timely reminder of the need for urgent and decisive action to resolve the tariff dispute and address other outstanding issues between the two nations.
In conclusion, Haley’s call for direct talks between Trump and Modi is a significant development in the ongoing saga of the India-US partnership. The ex-US envoy’s emphasis on the importance of personal diplomacy and her optimism about the potential for the partnership to grow stronger in the future are likely to resonate with many in New Delhi and Washington.
As the world watches with bated breath to see how the India-US relationship evolves in the coming months, Haley’s remarks serve as a timely reminder of the need for urgent and decisive action to resolve the tariff dispute and address other outstanding issues between the two nations.
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