[ad_1]
Nikki Haley, America's envoy to the United Nations and reputedly a confidante of President Donald Trump, said in New Delhi on Thursday that the last-minute postponement of a high-level US-India meeting did not reflect any tension or disagreement
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj to postpone a "two-plus-two" meeting on unspecified grounds. The meeting, scheduled for July 6 in Washington, was between Pompeo, US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, Swaraj and Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
"The delay in that meeting was unrelated to India. It will be soon, and this is a new step in strategic confidence in our partnership, "said Haley.
This is the second time the" two-plus- two "meeting has been postponed. Initially planned for April, it was put off after Trump fired then Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in March and his successor, Pompeo, had to be confirmed by the US Congress.
Hailing the two-plus-two dialogue as "a new milestone, "Haley said," (The US-India) relationship is stronger now, and the opportunities greater than they have ever been. "
ALSO READ: US prepared to work with allies to help them cut Iran oil imports to zero
Pressing the right buttons on Pakistan, Haley said the trump administration value Pakistan as a partner, but it would never tolerate that country becoming
Haley took a swipe at China's One Belt One Road Initiative, saying that the project disrespected countries' sovereign rights.
She contrasted that with India's vision for free trade in the Indo-Pacific, hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allusion to this in his speech on June 1 at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Downplaying trade disagreements as "growing breads", Haley pointed to the doubling of trade volumes over the recent years. She said: "The fact that we're talking about a good thing … It's a good thing you're communicating more. And it means that you're going through the growing pains of doing that. "
ALSO READ: How Trade is Treated by Trump is bringing back India and China closer
Even so, there are growing trade disputes between Washington and New Delhi. After Trump hiked tariffs on Indian steel and aluminum, India raised import duties on US farm products last week.
Asked about US sanctions on Iran, which could create difficulties in India-Iran, Haley said India would face increased pressure to reduce dealings with Iran.
"I did it with the Prime Minister Modi and … India recognizing the threat from Iran. Iran is a good, accountable, international member, "she said.
Iran is the next North Korea, "said Haley.
In India, a report from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) slammed India's record in Kashmir, Haley explained why America walked out of the body.
Sharply criticizing the UNHRC, Haley said serial human rights violators, including Venezuela, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, China and the Democratic Republic of Congo, "The Human Rights Council Does not Do Anything" (19659002) , why would the US give them credibility, "asked Haley. "
In an allusion to Haley's reported presidential ambitions, she was asked when" a woman of Indian origin, " Republican, run for high office? " Unfazed, she replied "
Haley, a second-generation American born to Sikh parents in North Carolina, visited by temple, a mosque, a gurdwara and a church earlier on Thursday.
[ad_2]
Source link
