Trump Administration Calls India a Key Ally to Counter China, Comments on Russia and Pakistan

Washington: The Trump administration has officially recognized India as a crucial and reliable partner in South Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing the country’s strategic importance in countering China’s growing influence.

During a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapoor stated that a strong and independent India aligns with U.S. strategic interests. “An India that can develop freely and stand on its own reduces China’s potential to become a dominant force in the Indo-Pacific,” Kapoor said. He highlighted that India’s economic growth and independent military capabilities serve as a check on China’s expanding regional ambitions, including its Belt and Road Initiative.

Comments on Russian Oil

Kapoor also addressed India’s energy strategy, noting that New Delhi is reducing its reliance on Russian oil and diversifying imports. He indicated that this shift could open opportunities for increased U.S. oil exports to India.

Pakistan as a Strategic Partner

The Trump administration also described Pakistan as a vital regional partner. Kapoor emphasized ongoing collaboration with Islamabad on understanding the country’s mineral resource potential and expanding trade in energy and agriculture. He highlighted U.S.-Pakistan cooperation in counterterrorism, which helps Pakistan address internal security threats.

During the hearing, some lawmakers raised concerns about extremist groups in South and Central Asia and their potential influence in the U.S. Kapoor responded that there was no organized presence of such groups within the United States but cautioned that isolated individuals could exist.

Criticism Over India-Pakistan Tensions

Democratic Committee member Sidney Camlejzer-Dove questioned the Trump administration’s handling of the May 2025 military standoff between India and Pakistan. She criticized former President Trump’s insistence on taking credit for a ceasefire and offering mediation in Kashmir, arguing that it undermined the necessary role of U.S. diplomacy in the region.