US Senator Daines calls India one of America's most important partners
Washington, May 19
US Republican Senator Steve Daines described India as one of America's most important geopolitical partners and stressed that trust between the two democracies would be critical for the future of the relationship.
Addressing the Capitol Hill Summit 2026 organised by the US-India Friendship Council, Daines said the United States and India shared strategic interests that extended far beyond trade and diplomacy.
"We didn't need this kind of friction, in my opinion, with one of the geopolitically most important relations we have, and that's between the United States and India," Daines said.
The senator from Montana, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke at length about the importance of trust in international partnerships, citing former US Secretary of State George Shultz.
"George Shultz once said, when trust was in the room, good things happened. When trust was not in the room, good things did not happen," Daines said. "Everything else is details."
Drawing on his experience working in Asia for Procter & Gamble before entering politics, Daines contrasted his visits to China and India to underline the deeper confidence Washington places in New Delhi.
"When I go to China, this phone stays on my desk in Washington," he said, holding up his mobile phone. "When I go to India, this phone goes with me."
Daines said he recently travelled to India with Ambassador Sergio Gor and praised the envoy's enthusiasm for strengthening bilateral ties.
"You've got a really special ambassador here because he's excited about India," Daines said. "He sees all the opportunities there."
The senator also referred to recent tensions in the relationship, including trade disagreements, but said both governments had worked to manage those issues.
"I heard directly from our Indian partners and friends, both at the government level and in the business community, about this impasse that we had," Daines said. "We worked it diligently."
He described India as a rising global economic and strategic power whose partnership with the United States could help balance China's growing influence.
"It's the largest democracy in the world," Daines said. "With partnership with the United States, we can put together a STEM ecosystem in terms of sheer human capital that can rival the size of the STEM ecosystem in China."
Daines also spoke personally about the role Indian Americans have played in American society, recalling that an Indian-origin doctor at MD Anderson Cancer Center had saved his father's life.
"Some of our very best minds are here in the United States in the healthcare profession," he said. "I'm just grateful for that personally."
The senator praised the growing Indian American community and said he viewed India as indispensable to America's long-term economic and geopolitical strategy.
"I love the country of India and the people," Daines said. "It's not my last trip to India."
The summit brought together lawmakers, diplomats, business leaders and policy experts amid renewed debate over trade, visas and strategic cooperation between Washington and New Delhi.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is what real diplomacy looks like! 🌟 The personal story about the Indian doctor saving his father's life shows genuine connection. But we must be careful - US-India friendship shouldn't come at cost of our strategic autonomy. Still, good to see a US senator speak so warmly about India. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
As someone who works in tech between both countries, I can say trust matters enormously. The phone comment resonated - I've been in rooms where Indian partners are far more transparent than others. Daines gets it. Now we need to see this translated into real policy: easier visas, tech transfers, and joint R&D. The STEM ecosystem point is spot on.
Nice words, but where were these sentiments when the US was imposing tariffs on Indian steel and when there were issues on visa backlogs? 🤔 Don't get me wrong, India-US ties are important, but this feels like election season or something. Actions > speeches. Still, credit where due - Daines seems genuine compared to some other US politicians who just want to use India against China.
The trust point is huge. I've worked on US-India joint projects, and when both sides truly collaborate, amazing things happen. The China comparison is telling - India is genuinely seen as a reliable partner. But we need to ensure this partnership benefits ordinary Indians too, not just big corporations. The Indian-American community bridges these nations beautifully.
One small criticism - it's nice that Daines loves India, but these summits often feel like echo chambers. Real issues like data localization, digital trade
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.