Mike Pompeo on India

Mike Pompeo has consistently championed a strong, comprehensive relationship between the United States and India, viewing the South Asian nation as an indispensable partner. His core position during his tenure as Secretary of State centered on strengthening defense, trade, and diplomatic ties to balance the growing influence of China. He repeatedly emphasized the shared values and strategic alignment between the two democracies, often framing the relationship as crucial to upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific order. This perspective was evident in his engagement with Indian officials and his public statements promoting deeper cooperation across various sectors.

This emphasis on the U.S.-India relationship evolved from an initial focus on trade disputes to a deeper alignment on geopolitical strategy. He frequently highlighted the importance of India's role in regional security and multinational forums. Furthermore, he publicly detailed his administration's role in de-escalating the 2019 military confrontation between India and Pakistan, citing direct U.S. diplomatic involvement to avert a potential nuclear exchange between the two rivals. His continued commentary, even after leaving office, reinforces this established diplomatic priority.