Nalin Haley, the son of Indian-origin American diplomat and Republican leader Nikki Haley, has launched another sharp critique of India, questioning whether Washington should continue to maintain its current diplomatic posture toward New Delhi. Positioning himself as aligned with the MAGA political camp, Haley argued that India has failed to function as a dependable strategic partner for the United States.
In a post shared on X, Haley claimed that India is governed by what he described as a “cheap government,” alleging that it benefits disproportionately from the export of low-cost labour to the US while simultaneously sourcing inexpensive commodities from geopolitical rivals. He asserted that India sends cheap labour to the United States, purchases oil from Iran, and procures weapons from Russia, framing these choices as evidence of opportunistic policymaking rather than genuine alliance-building. Haley added that India was not unique in this regard, arguing that the US should reassess its relationships with several allies whom he believes do not adequately serve American interests.
Haley’s remarks were triggered by the resurfacing of a 2023 video featuring Vivek Ramaswamy, in which Ramaswamy advocated for a strategic shift in US foreign policy away from China and toward closer engagement with India. As the clip circulated again amid criticism of Ramaswamy’s campaign for Ohio governor, Haley seized the opportunity to revive his criticism of the Republican leader and to reiterate his own scepticism about India’s role as a US partner.
This is not the first time Nalin Haley has taken a confrontational stance toward India. He has a track record of posting rhetoric critical of New Delhi and has frequently sought to distance himself publicly from his Indian heritage. In December last year, when India raised concerns with Washington over prolonged delays in H-1B visa processing—which left many Indian professionals stranded abroad and unable to resume work in the US—Haley dismissed New Delhi’s position. He argued that India’s advocacy was motivated less by concern for affected workers and more by an interest in continuing to receive remittances sent home by those professionals.
Haley has also been a vocal opponent of the H-1B visa programme itself, repeatedly calling for its complete abolition. His stance has drawn criticism, particularly given his family history. In October last year, British-Indian journalist Mehdi Hasan pointed out on X that Haley’s own grandfather immigrated to the United States in 1969, highlighting what critics described as a contradiction between Haley’s views and his personal background.
In media appearances, including interviews with Fox News, Haley has defended his hardline position on immigration and work visas by arguing that they disadvantage American graduates. He has claimed that many of his peers, despite strong academic credentials, remain unemployed while immigrants secure jobs through work visa programmes. According to Haley, young Americans are graduating with substantial student debt but are unable to find employment, a situation he attributes in part to the inflow of foreign workers on visas.
