'Can't carry my phone to China', US Senator praises India as a 'highly trusted ally' over China on security
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On Wednesday, July 1, US Senator Steve Daines underscored the stark contrast between India and China as trusted partners for Washington, describing India as a reliable ally at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit.
Daines further observed that while China is a frequent topic of discussion in Washington, there's been little concrete strategic planning around which partnerships and alliances need strengthening to serve as an effective counterbalance.
The Montana senator received the USISPF Public Service Award at the event in recognition of his contributions to strengthening US-India bilateral relations.
He illustrated the point with a very personal example, noting that he leaves his phone behind when traveling to China but carries it freely on trips to India, a sign, he said, of the level of trust the two nations share, something not possible with China.
The Republican senator called on Washington to adopt a more deliberate strategy around India's role in countering the geopolitical challenges posed by China, describing the India-US relationship as significant not just bilaterally but on a global scale.
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At the same time, Daines acknowledged that a complete break from China isn't realistic for the US, arguing instead for continued engagement paired with efforts to reduce economic dependency and risk. He also pointed to the combined talent pools of India and the US as a key advantage in competing with China's innovation ecosystem, noting that India is the only country capable of matching China's scale when paired with American resources.
US SENATOR :
— The Jaipur Dialogues (@JaipurDialogues) July 1, 2026
"When I travel to China, I leave my phone in Washington instead of taking it with me.
But when I travel to India, I bring this phone with me. That shows how much I trust India. I can't do the same in China" pic.twitter.com/jdTqPlReB6
He cited figures showing China graduates roughly 3.5 million science and technology students annually, compared to about 2-2.5 million STEM graduates from India and roughly 1 million from the US, suggesting that only an India-US partnership can close that gap.
Daines further observed that while China is a frequent topic of discussion in Washington, there's been little concrete strategic planning around which partnerships and alliances need strengthening to serve as an effective counterbalance.
The Montana senator received the USISPF Public Service Award at the event in recognition of his contributions to strengthening US-India bilateral relations.