US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, who is currently on a three-day visit to India, on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries, including on counter-terrorism.
Both the dignitaries discussed ways to enhance India-US cooperation, including on counter-terrorism and in multilateral fora. They expressed confidence that strong India-US partnership would continue to be an important factor for global peace and prosperity.
Ambassador Haley, meanwhile, also noted the deepening relations between India and the US, particularly in strategic and defence sectors.
During the meeting, Haley conveyed greetings from US President Donald Trump while Prime Minister Narendra Modi also requested her to express his best wishes to President Trump.
EAM @SushmaSwaraj met @nikkihaley, US Ambassador to the United Nations. Good discussion to deepen our strategic partnership and strengthen our ongoing cooperation at the United Nations. pic.twitter.com/J2jmd2C12t
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) June 27, 2018
Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for President Trump's South Asia and Indo-Pacific strategies and commended his initiative for denuclearization of Korean Peninsula.
The 46-year-old diplomat, who is the highest-ranked Indian-American in US President Donald Trump's administration, will also meet senior Indian Government officials, NGO leaders among others and discuss a host of topics including India-US strategic ties and significant global developments.
On a related note Haley also met External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj.
She arrived in India on Tuesday. Her visit comes a few days after several Indians were detained at Oregon and New Mexico for illegally entering the US, as a part of Trump's Zero Tolerance Policy.
Haley's visit will be followed by a 2+2 dialogue between the US and India on July 6. It will be attended by the US Department of State, US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James Mattis will host Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the dialogue.
They are expected to discuss bilateral defence and security cooperation.
Religious Freedom As Important As Rights: Nikki Haley On India Visit Nikki Haley, who is on her first visit to India after becoming US envoy to UN, asserted that religious freedom is as important as freedom of people and their rights.
The US envoy to United Nations Nikki Haley today pointed to opportunities in Indo-US relationship at multiple levels including counter-terrorism and military aspects and said her visit was aimed at solidifying the partnership between India and the US.
Ms Haley, who is on her first visit to India after becoming US envoy to UN, asserted that religious freedom is as important as freedom of people and their rights.
Indian-American Haley, accompanied by US ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, visited the majestic tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun in Delhi and termed her visit as coming back home.
RT @USUN: Great discussion with Prime Minister @narendramodi on trade, defense, regional security, and strengthening our partnership. As the world’s oldest and largest democracies, our friendship is strong. pic.twitter.com/xtfej9o7qt
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) June 27, 2018
"It makes my heart happy to be back in India, it is as beautiful as I remember it to be. Its always good to be back home. My parents said I was crazy to come at this time of the year because it is so hot. But, I will tell you that the heat is worth it to be back in India," she said.
Talking about strength of US-India relationship she said, the two countries were oldest democracies that shared values of people, freedom and opportunities.
"We see those opportunities between the US and India in a multiple level of ways whether in counter terrorism, whether it is the fact that we want to continue democratic opportunities, whether it is a fact that we want to start to work together more strongly in military aspects," she said.
Ms Haley said that there are lot of things common between India and the US and her visit was to solidify the friendship.
RT @USUN: We visited a @K_Satyarthi supported children’s shelter to discuss the challenges of child labor, trafficking & sexual abuse. We heard many stories from children who thankfully have been freed & encouraged them to pay it forward by helping children in similar situations. pic.twitter.com/9msR3x4jGd
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) June 27, 2018
"In this day and time we see more and more reasons for India and the US to come together. I am here to once again solidify our love for India, our belief in the friendship India and the US have and our willingness to make that relationship even more stronger," she said.
Hailing preservation of Humayun tomb as a reminder of value attached by India to culture, she said,"Humayun tomb is a reminder of how much we value culture and how much India values culture. The preservation that has happened here is a reminder that we all remember where we came from and we have to preserve it for the future."
Ms Haley, who is scheduled to visit religious places in the city tomorrow, asserted the importance of religious freedom.
"We think freedom of religion is as important as freedom of rights and freedom of people," she said.
Ms Haley during her two-day visit will meet senior Indian officials, business leaders and students, underscoring America's "strong alliance" with the country.
Good morning India! It’s great to be back. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JjHTEhjtX1
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) June 27, 2018
Talks between Ms Haley, the highest ranking Indian-American in the Donald Trump administration, and Indian officials could include a host of topics including India-US strategic ties and significant global developments.
Ms Haley had visited India in late 2014 when she was the South Carolina Governor.
Ms Haley, the daughter of Sikh immigrants from Punjab, is the first Indian-American to serve in a Cabinet-level position in any US presidential administration.
