US Senator Steve Daines says he trusts India enough to carry his phone while travelling there
July 1, 2026: Republican Senator Steve Daines has highlighted his trust in India over China by using a personal example during the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Leadership Summit in Washington. Speaking at the event, Daines said he carries his mobile phone with him when travelling to Delhi but leaves it behind when visiting Beijing, describing the remark as a reflection of the trust he places in India. He made the comments while receiving the USISPF Public Service Award for his efforts to strengthen India-US relations.
Daines said the United States cannot completely disengage from China but must focus on reducing strategic risks while building stronger partnerships with trusted nations. He stressed that India, working alongside the United States, is the only country capable of matching the size and scale of China’s innovation ecosystem. According to the senator, the combination of India’s talent pool and America’s resources provides the best opportunity to compete globally.
The Montana lawmaker also underlined the importance of direct engagement in diplomacy, saying that personal visits help build stronger international relationships. He argued that trust is the foundation of the India-US partnership and added that while Washington often discusses the challenges posed by China, it must also develop a clearer strategy for strengthening alliances that can serve as an effective counterbalance.