Washington DC/Moscow: Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has known as on India to take President Donald Trump’s considerations over Russian oil imports “severely” and work with the White Home to discover a answer “sooner the higher”.
She emphasised that many years of friendship between the world’s two largest democracies present a strong basis to maneuver previous present challenges, stressing the strategic significance of India as a accomplice in countering China.
“India should take Trump’s level over Russian oil severely, and work with the White Home to discover a answer. The earlier the higher. A long time of friendship and good will between the world’s two largest democracies present a strong foundation to maneuver previous the present turbulence. Navigating points like commerce disagreements and Russian oil imports calls for arduous dialogue. However, we should always not lose sight of what issues most: our shared targets. To face China, the USA should have a pal in India,” she wrote on X.
India should take Trump’s level over Russian oil severely, and work with the White Home to discover a answer. The earlier the higher.
A long time of friendship and good will between the world’s two largest democracies present a strong foundation to maneuver previous the present turbulence.…
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) August 23, 2025
Haley additionally highlighted the significance of rebuilding US-India relations, including, “In contrast to Communist China, the rise of a democratic India doesn’t threaten the free world. Partnership between the USA and India to counter China ought to be a no brainer. It could serve America’s pursuits to assist India stand as much as China.”
In a co-authored opinion piece with Invoice Drexel of the Hudson Institute, Haley recalled previous moments of US-India friendship, together with President Ronald Reagan’s state dinner for Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in July 1982, the place he toasted the “two proud, free peoples” and highlighted that regardless of occasional separate paths, the nations’ vacation spot stays aligned. Haley described the present US-India relationship as at a “troubling inflection level” and confused that restoring sturdy bilateral ties is important to satisfy overseas coverage aims, together with outcompeting China and sustaining peace by means of energy.
She additionally stated, “Trump is true to focus on India’s large Russian oil purchases, that are serving to to fund Vladimir Putin’s brutal warfare in opposition to Ukraine. India has additionally historically been among the many most protectionist economies on this planet, with a median tariff charge greater than 5 occasions the U.S. common in 2023. However India have to be handled just like the prized free and democratic accomplice that it’s, not an adversary like China.”
India Stands Agency On Oil Imports
In the meantime, New Delhi’s place stays agency. India’s Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar confused in an interview with TASS Russian Information Company that New Delhi will proceed shopping for oil from wherever it will get the “finest deal” and take measures to guard its nationwide curiosity.
He known as the U.S. resolution to extend tariffs over 50 % resulting from Russian oil purchases “unfair, unreasonable and unjustified”.
“Our goal is the power safety of 1.4 billion folks of India, and India’s cooperation with Russia and different nations has helped convey stability to the worldwide oil market. The commerce takes place on a business foundation. Indian corporations will proceed shopping for from wherever they get the most effective deal,” he stated.
The ambassador additionally highlighted that India-Russia commerce is guided by mutual pursuits and market elements, highlighting that different nations, together with the USA and European nations, additionally proceed buying and selling with Russia.
On the monetary facet, Kumar assured that India and Russia have a useful commerce settlement system in nationwide currencies and face no points in cost for oil imports. He additionally emphasised India’s intent to increase exports to Russia in sectors, together with electronics, vehicles, development supplies, textiles and IT-related merchandise, whereas highlighting the necessity to enhance companies commerce akin to monetary, digital and transportation companies.
Exterior Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had earlier known as the U.S. tariff improve “unjustified and unreasonable”, asserting that India’s precedence is to guard farmers and small producers. The Ministry of Exterior Affairs reiterated that New Delhi will take all actions essential to safeguard nationwide pursuits.
The continuing tariff imposition and differing positions spotlight a rising diplomatic and financial pressure, at the same time as each nations emphasise the significance of strategic partnership and shared aims in international geopolitics.
(With ANI inputs)