Nikki Haley: India can help US keep eye on Pakistan
Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, said India can help Washington keep an eye on Pakistan even as President Donald Trump has "taken a tougher approach to Islamabad harboring terrorists." Haley said the US' strategic partnership with India is one of the pillars of Trump's recently announced strategy to promote security in Afghanistan and South Asia. Here's more.
Haley said, during an event in Washington organized by the US India Friendship Council, that the key for India to become permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) is "not to touch the veto." She said China and Russia are the two permanent members opposed to UNSC reforms, which India has long called for. She said the US supports the UNSC reforms.
"Pakistan has been a partner to the US at times. We value and respect that. But we cannot tolerate this government… giving safe haven to terrorists who target Americans. This new approach will require understanding and restraint from both Pakistan and India," she said.
Haley said the US wants India to do more in Afghanistan, especially in providing economic and development assistance. She praised Indian's contributions to Afghanistan's stability and said Indians are "the good neighbors and partner that we have in the region." She said India can "also help us to keep an eye on Pakistan" which is crucial to ensure Islamabad is being held more accountable.
She said America and the world would face a "catastrophic" threat if Iran got hold of nuclear weapons. "But India is a nuclear power and nobody gives it a second thought. Why? Because India is a democracy that threatens no one."
