Nikki Haley in India on maiden-visit as US-Envoy to UN
What's the story
Nikki Haley is traveling to India for the first time as the US Ambassador to the UN on a two-day visit from June 26 to meet senior Indian officials, business leaders, NGO leaders, and students and underscore America's "strong alliance" with the country. The discussion between Haley and Indian officials would include a host of topics like India-US strategic ties and significant global developments.
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About Nikki Haley
Haley had visited India in late 2014 when she was the South Carolina Governor. 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.
2+2 Dialogue
US to host Sushma Swaraj, Nirmala Sitharaman on July 6
The visit to India by one of the Republican party's rising stars comes just days before US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James Mattis host External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of Defense Nirmala Sitharaman in Washington for the inaugural US-India 2+2 Dialogue on July 6. This meeting will focus on strengthening strategic, security, and defense cooperation, US said.
Significance
What is the significance of Haley's visit?
Haley's visit assumes significance as the Trump administration walks away from key multi-lateral pacts like UN Human Rights Council, Iran nuclear deal, and Paris Climate agreement, where India had played a leadership role in bringing the global pact to fruition. Following Washington's withdrawal from Iran deal and re-imposition of sanctions, Swaraj said that India will comply with UN sanctions and not any country-specific sanctions.
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Sushma Swaraj met Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif
Last month, Sushma had also met Iran's visiting Foreign Minister Javad Zarif during which he sought India's support in salvaging Iran's nuclear deal with leading world powers in the wake of the US pullout from it.