Washington | September 5, 2025

As India-US relations strain under new trade frictions, former top American officials have reminded Washington of the strategic importance of New Delhi. The remarks come against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s move to impose cumulative tariffs of up to 50 per cent on Indian imports, stalling trade negotiations and sparking diplomatic unease.

In a joint editorial for Foreign Affairs, former US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and ex-Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M Campbell argued that India remains one of America’s most vital partners. They warned that mishandling ties could push New Delhi closer to Beijing and Moscow at a time of intensifying global competition.

Why India Matters

Sullivan and Campbell pointed out that bipartisan consensus in Washington has historically supported deepening ties with India, helping disincentivize “reckless Chinese adventurism” in the Indo-Pacific region. They urged policymakers to remember why India has emerged as a key partner over the last generation.

The officials emphasized that Trump’s tariffs, tensions over Russian oil imports, and renewed strains regarding Pakistan have caused a “rapid and regrettable downturn” in bilateral relations. They added that President Trump’s public theatrics are often “a prelude to dealmaking,” but cautioned that prolonged friction risks long-term consequences.

Risk of Losing a Strategic Ally

The commentary noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent interactions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. According to Sullivan and Campbell, Washington risks “driving India directly into its adversaries’ arms” if relations continue to deteriorate.

They added that India could face a precarious position—confronted by an uncompromising China on its border while also experiencing weakened cooperation with the United States in technology, defence, and education.

Lessons from Past Cooperation

Highlighting decades of collaboration, the former officials recalled key milestones such as the 2005 US-India Civil Nuclear Agreement signed under President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. They also pointed to more recent cooperation between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Modi in fields like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and aerospace.

Sullivan and Campbell argued that both nations should not merely aim to restore past ties but work toward a deeper, sustained partnership.

Moving Beyond “India-Pakistan” Framing

On South Asia policy, the officials called for Washington to resist “hyphenating” India and Pakistan in its diplomacy. While acknowledging US interests in counterterrorism and nuclear proliferation in Pakistan, they stressed that these concerns “pale in significance” compared to America’s long-term strategic interests with India.

Their remarks followed Trump’s recent engagement with Pakistan, including a White House meeting with Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and the announcement of a new US-Pakistan trade deal. The outreach to Islamabad, combined with tariffs on India, has fueled perceptions of imbalance.

Building a Stronger Framework

Looking forward, Sullivan and Campbell proposed establishing a new US-India strategic alliance, ratified by the US Senate, built on five core pillars. This would include a ten-year action plan to jointly develop and share advanced technologies—covering AI, semiconductors, clean energy, telecommunications, quantum computing, biotech, and aerospace.

“The goal,” they wrote, “is to build a common technology ecosystem with allies, ensuring the United States and fellow democracies do not cede the innovation edge to China.”

As trade tensions escalate, their message is clear: Washington must weigh the short-term politics of tariffs against the long-term necessity of India as a trusted partner.