'My Phone Travels To India With Me, Never To China': US Senator Hails New Delhi As 'Trusted Ally, Friend'

Last Updated:July 01, 2026, 14:26 IST

India and the United States are in the process of finalising a trade deal agreement. Back in February, the two countries agreed on the legal framework of the pact

U.S. Senator Steve Daines described what he views as a stark security distinction between Washington’s two partners, India and China, as he called the former a “trusted ally and friend". He also highlighted the difference in Washington’s approach towards New Delhi and Beijing.

Daines was addressing the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit in Washington.

Putting forth a personal example, the Republican senator said: “When I travel to China, my phone does not go to Beijing with me. It stays in Washington. But when I travel to India, this phone comes with me. That is an example of a highly trusted ally and friend. I can’t do that in China".

Daines, a senior U.S. senator from Montana, asserted Washington should adopt a more strategic approach to New Delhi’s role in addressing challenges created by Beijing. “The relationship that we have between the United States and India is not only important for our two countries. I think it’s important for the world", he said.

The U.S. senator, however, noted Washington cannot disengage from China, with a country being a crucial ally of the U.S. “We can’t disengage from China. We need to engage, we need to de-risk," Daines stated.

Stressing a stronger cooperation between India and the U.S., the senator said: “China produces roughly 3.5 million science and tech graduates every year. The only hope we have to compete globally is India plus the United States. India produces about 2-2.5 million STEM graduates. America does about 1 million."

India-U.S. Relations

Ties between India and the U.S. were briefly strained as the President Donald Trump-led administration –– back in August 2025 –– slapped Indian imports with steep tariffs, an initial 25 per cent plus an “unspecified penalty" for buying Russian oil and weapons.

In September, the two countries saw a revival in ties after President Trump extended birthday greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Reciprocating the gesture, PM Modi described President Trump as a “friend", affirming commitment to “take the India-US Comprehensive and Global Partnership to new heights."

Since then, at multiple forums, the two leaders have heaped praises on each other, vowing to build stronger bilateral ties and enhance cooperation across sectors.

At present, India and the United States are in the process of finalising a trade deal agreement. Back in February, the two countries agreed on the legal framework of the pact, but the final deal is yet to be signed.

On Monday, U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said the bilateral trade agreement was in its final stages, with negotiators working through the “last 1 or 2% of the deal."

“That trade deal, we thought was done, until the Supreme Court decided to have it underway. And so we continue to pursue that, and we are very close…Most of this deal is complete. There’s a few items that are made for both sides, but it’s in the last 1-2% of that deal," Gor said.

News world 'My Phone Travels To India With Me, Never To China': US Senator Hails New Delhi As 'Trusted Ally, Friend'

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