Nalin Haley, son of former South Carolina governor and Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, stirred debate with a recent social media post criticizing India’s relationship with the United States.
Positioning himself as a MAGA-aligned voice, Haley argued that India has fallen short as a reliable US partner. He claimed New Delhi benefits from the American economy by sending low-cost labor to the US, while at the same time purchasing oil from Iran and continuing to buy military equipment from Russia.
Haley wrote on X, “India has not been a good “ally” to America. They send cheap labor to the US, buy cheap oil from Iran, and cheap weapons from Russia because they have a cheap government.”
“And it’s not just India. The United States needs to re-evaluate their relationship with a lot of “allies””, he added.
His remarks come as India and the United States are edging closer to finalizing a trade agreement, following months of discussions between the two countries.
READ: Nalin Haley slams India, says ‘remittance money’ drives push on H-1B visas (December 29, 2025)
Nalin Haley’s comments were sparked by an old 2023 video of Vivek Ramaswamy, in which Ramaswamy expressed support for decoupling the U.S. from China while strengthening ties with India. He clarified that his stance was based on policy, not because of any personal connection to India.
The video resurfaced recently as some MAGA supporters targeted Ramaswamy over his Ohio governor campaign. Haley, who has been an outspoken critic of Ramaswamy, used the moment to voice his opposition to Ramaswamy’s positions.
And in no time, users started backlashing him. One user wrote, “This person has no idea about geopolitics…India is never an ally to anyone. Its foreign policy does not allow that. It is only a partner with other countries. The US State Department fully understands that.”
“Have you completely lost your mind in your hatred for Vivek? Your own mother, Nikki Haley, said the exact same thing you’re now attacking him for,” another user wrote.
“The entire Silicon Valley is being run by such ‘cheap labor’. And what do you even mean by ‘cheap’? American companies and hence AMERICA are benefiting from Indians working at low wages,” one user commented, while many others questioned Nalin’s stance on India given his own heritage. His mother, Nikki Haley, is the daughter of Indian immigrants.
READ: Nalin Haley says naturalized citizens shouldn’t hold office (November 20, 2025)
Earlier in December 2025, Haley voiced his opposition on social media, asking for a complete ban on H-1B visa, while emphasizing his loyalty to America. As he wrote on X, “You can’t be stranded in your own country. The Indian government is only complaining cuz they want their remittance money. Delaying visas is good but not enough. We need a complete H-1B visa ban.”
Even in November 2025, Nalin stirred controversy by saying that naturalized citizens should be barred from holding public office, insisting that such positions should be reserved for those born in the United States.
He also criticized dual citizenship, calling it “stupid” and arguing that people should either fully commit to being American or not be American at all.