Mary Millben Says U.S.-India Ties Have Weakened Under Trump’s Second Term

WASHINGTON — African American singer Mary Millben said relations between the United States and India have weakened during President Donald Trump’s second term, blaming poor advice within the administration and saying Washington needs to make a serious effort to rebuild trust with New Delhi.

In an interview with IANS, Millben said Trump’s first administration had advisers who better understood India’s importance, while his current administration has been guided by the “wrong people” on issues involving New Delhi.

“To be very frank, as I always am, no, I don’t think the trip did anything to repair the relationship between the United States and India,” Millben said, referring to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent visit to India. “The Trump administration has not made any genuine steps to repair the relationship in that regard.”

Millben, who has often spoken publicly in support of U.S.-India ties and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Rubio’s trip may have been personally meaningful for him but did not address the broader strains in the relationship.

“I thought it was great to see the secretary in India,” she said. “I think this was his first time visiting the country.”

She said it was important for Rubio and his wife to experience “this beautiful country, this beautiful land, and the beautiful people.”

Millben praised Indian leaders for their hospitality during Rubio’s visit.

“I thought the Prime Minister certainly was very gracious,” she said. “The leadership of India were very kind. India’s a kind people.”

Rubio traveled beyond New Delhi during the trip, with stops that included Kolkata, Jaipur and Agra. Millben said the itinerary likely gave him a broader understanding of Indian culture and society.

Still, she said the political damage in the relationship could not be repaired by a single diplomatic visit.

“I think it’s going to take the next election cycle, if I were to be honest,” she said when asked how ties could improve.

Millben said leaders around the world are watching U.S. politics ahead of the next presidential election.

“Prime Minister Modi and leaders all across the world are certainly watching what is going to occur in November,” she said.

Calling India “our most important democratic partner,” Millben said rebuilding trust with New Delhi “should always be at the forefront” for U.S. leaders.

She also praised Sergio Gor, the U.S. ambassador to India.

“I certainly applaud Sergio, the U.S. Ambassador currently to India, and I think he’s doing a great job with the capacity that he’s been given,” she said.

Millben contrasted Trump’s first term with his current administration, saying the president previously had advisers who understood the value of India and the Indian American community.

“The President also had the right people around him at that time who were advising him on what was necessary to keep a healthy relationship with India,” she said, referring to the “Howdy Modi” rally in Texas during Trump’s first term.

“This administration 2.0, just to be very honest, has not had the right people,” she added. “He had the wrong people on the tariff policy as it relates to India.”

Millben also criticized rhetoric directed at immigrants and Indian Americans.

“I’ve been very, very disappointed, very disturbed by the way this administration has spoken so negatively about the Indian American community,” she said.

She said improving ties would require a more respectful tone from Washington.

“There’s a way that you talk about policy with a sense of humanity that is absolutely who we are as Americans,” she said.

Millben said she hopes future U.S. leaders embrace diversity while maintaining border security.

“It’s my hope that we have candidates pursuing the Oval Office that have the sentiment of the Statue of Liberty,” she said, “that celebrate people coming from all over the world to be a part of the American culture, to experience the American dream.”

India and the United States have expanded strategic cooperation over the past two decades in defense, technology, trade and the Indo-Pacific region. The two countries are also members of the Quad, along with Japan and Australia. (Source: IANS)