Washington — Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has said India must take President Donald Trump’s concerns over its Russian oil imports “seriously” and work closely with Washington to resolve differences.
Haley, a Republican leader and former presidential candidate, noted that issues like trade disputes and Russian crude purchases required “hard dialogue” between the two countries. She shared a portion of her recent Newsweek opinion piece on X, stressing that Trump was right to target India’s “massive Russian oil purchases” that, according to her, help fund President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
At the same time, Haley underlined that India should not be treated as an adversary. “India must be seen as the prized free and democratic partner that it is—not like China,” she wrote, highlighting decades of goodwill between the two nations. She said both democracies should “not lose sight of what matters most—our shared goals.”
Haley emphasized India’s importance in countering China, pointing out its manufacturing potential at a scale comparable to Beijing’s. “To face China, the United States must have a friend in India,” she said.
The comments come at a time of rising tension between New Delhi and Washington after President Trump imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including an additional 25 per cent levy linked to India’s Russian oil imports. The new duties will take effect from August 27.
India, however, has defended its Russian crude purchases, maintaining that energy procurement is driven by national interest and global market dynamics. After sanctions isolated Moscow in 2022, India began importing Russian oil at discounted rates, becoming one of its largest buyers.
Haley, who served as South Carolina’s governor before joining Trump’s cabinet, remains a prominent voice in the Republican Party despite withdrawing from the 2024 presidential race last year. She argued that the U.S. and India must find common ground quickly to prevent further strain in relations.
