Ambassador Bolton: India at the Heart of Global Stability
Why Washington increasingly sees New Delhi as a democratic anchor in turbulent times

When Ambassador John Bolton sat down for an exclusive conversation with Hriday Raval, his reflections carried weight not just for policymakers in Washington, but for every Indian who watches the U.S.–India partnership grow deeper by the year. At a moment when the global order is under pressure — from wars in Europe and West Asia to fragile trade regimes — Bolton’s words underscored India’s place at the heart of global stability.

Speaking on America’s H-1B visa surcharge, Bolton was direct: “What Trump has done on the H-1B visa fee is a terrible mistake. I think it will obviously make it more difficult to attract foreign talent to the United States. The research indicates very clearly that bringing in people with expertise doesn’t take jobs away from Americans.” His candor reflected a larger truth: India’s highly skilled professionals are not competitors but partners in innovation, growth, and shared prosperity.

Indeed, the numbers bear this out. According to the U.S. Trade Representative, bilateral trade between India and the United States touched $191 billion in 2022–23, making America India’s largest trading partner. India’s IT services sector, supported heavily by H-1B professionals, contributes over $150 billion annually in exports (NASSCOM). Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar recently highlighted this synergy, remarking: “The U.S. is today India’s largest trading partner. It reflects not only economics but the trust of two open societies.” For New Delhi, these exchanges are about much more than commerce; they represent the arteries of a global talent bridge.

Amb. Bolton also touched on the question of tariffs and sanctions linked to Russian oil. “The twenty-five percent tariff imposed because of Indian purchases of Russian oil and gas was a mistake,” he said. “What we need to do is deprive Russia of the revenues that it’s gaining from the sale of oil and gas to finance the war in Ukraine. That can be done working together with India.” His assessment reflects Washington’s recognition that India is indispensable in shaping energy markets and ensuring that Moscow does not exploit global dependencies.

The figures underline India’s leverage. In 2024, nearly 21% of India’s crude imports came from Russia, according to India’s Ministry of Petroleum. Yet, New Delhi has managed to balance its energy needs while maintaining a principled stance on sovereignty and international law. With a defense budget of $82 billion in 2024 (SIPRI), India is the world’s fourth-largest military spender — a reality that makes it both a security partner and a strategic deterrent in Asia.

Turning to the Middle East, Bolton welcomed the release of Israeli hostages while cautioning against complacency. “The plan itself, while aspirational, has a lot of difficult steps that have simply not been agreed to. The disarming point is particularly hard. President Trump said yesterday, well, if they don’t disarm, we will disarm them. That’s a hollow threat,” he observed. For an Indian audience, these remarks resonate with the longstanding view that West Asia’s security has direct consequences for our own. Nearly 60% of India’s oil imports come from the Gulf, and instability in the Red Sea — where the Houthis have repeatedly targeted commercial shipping — directly affects Indian trade. Bolton was equally clear here: “We and others who have an interest in this are fully justified in eliminating the Houthi capability to engage in this hostile activity.”

India’s role in these theatres is not abstract. As one of the largest troop contributors to United Nations peacekeeping, with more than 6,000 soldiers deployed worldwide, India has been a consistent provider of stability. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision at the 2023 G20 Summit — “One Earth, One Family, One Future” — was not a slogan but a guiding principle. It reflects the conviction that a democratic India has both the responsibility and the capacity to anchor peace in regions that remain volatile.

Amb. Bolton’s remarks on Ukraine add further weight to this argument. “I hope Trump gives the Tomahawks. There is a risk of escalation. But if the war simply continues as it is today, Russia is grinding away in a war of attrition against Ukraine at enormous human cost,” he said. His assessment is stark, but it underlines a point Indian strategists often make: prolonged conflicts are not distant events, they reshape the global economy and test the resilience of democratic partnerships.

In all of these arenas — trade, energy, security, and diplomacy — India is not a passive observer. It is an active stabilizer. Bolton’s interview is evidence that this reality is well understood in Washington, including by those who have served at the highest levels of American national security. For India, the opportunity lies in translating this recognition into deeper institutional ties — in technology, defense production, and maritime security.

As Amb. Bolton put it, the U.S.–India relationship is not about one policy choice or one administration. It is about the shared conviction that democracy, open markets, and respect for sovereignty must prevail. For New Delhi, this moment is a reminder that India’s weight on the global stage is not incidental. It is structural. And as the 21st century unfolds, the partnership with Washington will be a cornerstone of how that weight is used — for stability, prosperity, and peace.

This article is based on Ambassador John Bolton’s exclusive interview with Hriday Raval for Bharat News. The full conversation can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/OLUqt4b8SwI? si=W3wIZfMSPFxwZvyH.