JULY 1, 2026
US Republican Senator Steve Daines.
Republican Senator Steve Daines said that if countries were listed on the stock market, he already knows exactly where he would put his money.
In an interview with NDTV, he said, “If countries were a stock, I’d be buying India right now. You look at the top 20 economies in the world as related to GDP. India’s ranked fifth, on its way to fourth in the world.”
Daines recently received the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum’s 2026 Public Service Award. Describing the India-US relationship as being at one of its strongest points, the Montana senator said, “We’ve got a lot of momentum. India is the largest democracy in the world. They’re such a trusted partner of the United States. Trust is such an important part of a relationship.”
According to the NDTV report, he also praised President Donald Trump’s approach to India, saying the administration remained committed to strengthening ties with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“You’re seeing more and more investments of US companies in India. President Trump is working to strengthen the relationship between… Prime Minister Modi… and just the Indian people,” he said.
Calling the Indian-American community one of America’s greatest assets, Daines said, “Some of our best doctors and research scientists come from India.”
On the proposed India–US trade agreement, Daines called for an early conclusion of negotiations, urging both sides to move quickly.
“I think we all want to see this happen as soon as possible. India is such an important trading partner of the United States and vice versa. I’m looking forward to getting that deal wrapped up as soon as possible,” he told NDTV.
The senator also supported easing the movement of skilled professionals and students between the two countries, including reforms to the H-1B visa system.
“I want to see as many of these barriers reduced and removed entirely, if possible, between trusted allies and partners like India. We need each other. We need more Indian students in America. We need more workers who come with skill sets that we need here in our country. One of the most important forms of capital is human capital,” Daines added.
Responding to concerns over attacks on Indian Americans, Daines condemned hate crimes.
“Hate in any form needs to be confronted, no matter who it is against,” he said, while adding that most Indian Americans “feel very safe here.”
On energy security, Daines credited the Trump administration with helping stabilise global energy markets amid tensions in the Middle East.
“If you don’t get energy right, you don’t get national security right,” he said.
He added that falling oil prices reflected the efforts of President Trump, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Courtesy: Moneycontrol
