ICYMI: Daines to NDTV: ‘If Countries Were Stocks, I’d Be Buying India’

• June 30, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Steve Daines spoke with NDTV last evening at the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) where he received the USISPF Public Service Award. Read the full article here.

'If Countries Were Stocks, I'd Be Buying India': US Senator To NDTV

NDTV World

Lalit K Jha

June 29, 2026

If countries were listed on the stock market, senior Republican Senator Steve Daines says he knows exactly where he would put his money.

"If countries were a stock, I'd be buying India right now," Daines told NDTV in an exclusive interview, pointing to India's rapid economic growth and expanding partnership with the United States.

"You look at the top 20 economies in the world as relates to GDP. India's ranked fifth, on its way to fourth in the world," he said.

"But of the top 20 countries in the world ranked by GDP, India has the largest growth rate in its GDP, not only for this year but also projected for next year. So, India's on the rise."

Daines, who recently received the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum's 2026 Public Service Award, described the India-US relationship as being at one of its strongest points.

"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," he said.

The Montana senator 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 added, "Some of our best doctors and research scientists come from India."…

…Asked about concerns over attacks on Indian Americans, Daines condemned hate crimes.

"Hate in any kind of form needs to be confronted no matter who it's 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 following 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 efforts by President Trump, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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