Trump-Modi, Negotiate Like Real Friends: Singer Mary Millben's Advice To India-US Amid Tariff Threat

As the US threatens to impose more tariffs on India for buying oil from Russia, International Singer Mary Millben has some advice for American President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a social media post, Millben has said that both countries need each other and urged the two leaders to negotiate as "real friends" to find a common ground. She wrote, "I'll say again: America needs India, and India needs America. Any direction in policy that strains our strategic alliance is the wrong direction.

@POTUSand @NarendraModi, my beloved leaders, this exchange of "muscular verbiage" on tariffs is troubling us all. Furthermore, countless small businesses in the US and India are hurting in this 'tariff tug of war." I speak to them daily."

Remember, we need each other. Negotiate as real friends. Find common ground. Your legacies and the well-being of our countries depend on this moment. #India #US."

Nikki Haley's Message To Trump

Meanwhile, Indian-American Republican leader Nikki Haley asked Trump not to burn its relationship with a "strong ally like India" and give a pass to China.

"India should not be buying oil from Russia. But China, an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause," Nikki Haley said in a post on X.

"Don't give China a pass and burn a relationship with a strong ally like India," the the former Governor of South Carolina said.

Haley was the US Ambassador to the United Nations under Trump's first presidential term and credited as the first Indian-American to be appointed to a cabinet-level post in the US administration.

She had announced her candidacy for the 2024 Presidential election before withdrawing from the race.

The comments from Milliben and Haley come after Trump threatened India of increasing tariffs if New Delhi fails to stop buying Russian oil.

India, in an unusual counterattack towards the US, said that New Delhi's imports were based on market needs and energy security, especially after Western nations diverted traditional supplies to Europe over the Russia-Ukraine war.

"In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability. India's imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion," the statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said.