'India emerged as US’s most important partners': Ex-officials urge Trump to rebuild ties despite tariffs

“Remember why India emerged as key partner,” ex-US officials tell Trump amid tariff tensions

US President Donald Trump’s flair for theatrics may cause unease in Washington and New Delhi, but two former senior US officials argue it should not undermine the strategic partnership with India.

In a joint article for Foreign Affairs, former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and ex-Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell described the current state of India-US relations as a "moment of unprecedented discord" caused by Trump’s tariffs on Indian goods, while emphasizing that ties must be repaired to ensure the US "does not cede the innovation edge" to China.

They said the US-India relationship enjoys "bipartisan support" and has "effectively disincentivised reckless Chinese adventurism" in the Indo-Pacific.

"India has emerged over the last generation as one of the United States’ most important global partners," they further mentioned.

"Washington and New Delhi must do more than simply restore the old, suboptimal status quo. They must create a firmer and more ambitious foundation: a strategic alliance between the United States and India based on a series of mutual commitments," they added.

"Washington must refrain from hyphenating its relations with India and Pakistan," they wrote, stressing that US interests with New Delhi far surpass those with Islamabad.

Their remarks followed President Trump’s claim of brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan after the recent military clash, a claim India has consistently denied.

Campbell and Sullivan called for a formal US-India strategic alliance anchored in five pillars: technology, trade, defence, intelligence, and joint action on global challenges. They argued the relationship must evolve from ad-hoc cooperation to a more enduring framework.

While acknowledging that India’s democratic backsliding and close ties with Russia present obstacles, they stressed these should not impede progress. "A strategic alliance is not mutually exclusive with strategic autonomy," they wrote. "Alliances are about alignment and common purpose -- not about sacrificing sovereignty."

"The only thing harder than building and formalising a deeply significant relationship with India is not having one."

This follows the US administration’s decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on India over the trade deficit, along with an additional 25 percent for New Delhi’s refusal to end its oil trade links, bringing the total levy to 50 percent.