Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
International

Donald Trump Pleased Nikki Haley First Indian-American Cabinet Official

Darpan News Desk IANS, 26 Jan, 2017 12:02 PM
    US President Donald Trump is pleased that Nikki Haley, sworn in as the US ambassador to the UN, "is our nation's first Indian-American cabinet level officer", his spokesperson Sean Spicer told the media.
     
    According to Spicer, Trump "had the honour to greet new ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, in his office" when she visited the White House after being sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday.
     
    "It is a big deal for Indian-Americans throughout this country (US) and now she is able to get to work representing as our nation's top diplomat," Spicer said.
     
     
    Haley has received support from both Republican and Democrat leaders and her appointment was on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved by the Senate with a vote of 96 to four.
     
    Her position is one of the offices for which the Senate has to approve.
     
    During her confirmation hearings in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week, senators emphasised her achievements as a consensus builder as Governor of the conservative state of South Carolina.
     
    This was presented as an asset that would make up for her lack of diplomatic or foreign policy experience.
     
     
    Spicer echoed those sentiments. 
     
    "As one of the most respected governors in the county, Haley has a proven track record bringing people together regardless of their background or differences to create opportunity in her state and now the nation," he said.
     
    Because of the persistent criticism of Trump and himself for making incorrect statements, Spicer hedged the new President's description of Haley as the first Indian-American cabinet level official by adding the caveat "to the best of my knowledge at least".
     
    Haley indeed is the first Indian-American cabinet rank official in the US and has achieved that in the administration of Trump, who is described by his detractors as a "misogynist" and "anti-immigrant racist".
     
     
    The Republican Party has produced two Indian-American governors, Haley and Louisiana's Bobby Jindal, which the Democratic Party has not matched.
     
    Indian-Americans like Rajiv Shah, the head of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under Democratic President Barack Obama, have held senior positions but not at the cabinet level.
     
    Trump has so far appointed two other Indian-Americans to senior positions below cabinet level.
     
    Ajit Pai was named the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the powerful regulatory agency for wireless spectrum, telephones, internet, cable, radio and television, and Seema Verma as the head of government health insurance programmes.
     
     
    Haley had opposed the Republican President during the election campaign because of his statements about immigrants.
     
    But finally, before the election day, Haley said she would vote for Trump. The then President-elect reached out to her to offer the ambassadorship.
     
    Haley during her confirmation hearings said she would not hesitate to challenge Trump in the cabinet.
     
    She also took a strong stand against Russia, which diverges from Trump's policy of improving ties with the country.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Very Important Lessons Learnt From Devyani Khobragade Incident: US

    Very Important Lessons Learnt From Devyani Khobragade Incident: US
    The Indo-US diplomatic crisis that erupted in 2013 with the arrest of woman diplomat Devyani Khobragade was not only a "low point" in ties but both sides learnt "very important lessons" from it, a top official of the outgoing Obama administration has said.

    Very Important Lessons Learnt From Devyani Khobragade Incident: US

    German Passport World's Strongest, India Ranks Ahead Of China

    German Passport World's Strongest, India Ranks Ahead Of China
    India stands at 78th position with a visa-free score of 46, ahead of China and Pakistan which are ranked 58th and 94th on the list respectively.

    German Passport World's Strongest, India Ranks Ahead Of China

    Will Overcome Chinese Hurdle Eventually, Says US, On India's NSG Membership

    Will Overcome Chinese Hurdle Eventually, Says US, On India's NSG Membership
    Mr Verma said President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry and a lot of other people had worked in pushing India's membership to the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group and that the United States will continue to work on it.

    Will Overcome Chinese Hurdle Eventually, Says US, On India's NSG Membership

    Mexican Town Fears Nightclub Shooting Means Drug War Has Come

    Mexican Town Fears Nightclub Shooting Means Drug War Has Come
    Concerns that violence may be creeping into Playa del Carmen were voiced as people attended a Monday evening vigil in front of the Blue Parrot nightclub, where five people died and 15 were wounded or injured in the chaos before dawn.

    Mexican Town Fears Nightclub Shooting Means Drug War Has Come

    Trudeau Affirms Support Of NATO After Trump Brands Alliance Obsolete

    Trudeau Affirms Support Of NATO After Trump Brands Alliance Obsolete
    OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau has affirmed Canada's support of NATO, days after president-elect Donald Trump's pronouncement that the military alliance is obsolete.

    Trudeau Affirms Support Of NATO After Trump Brands Alliance Obsolete

    Donald Trump Could Be The First US President In 150 Years Without A Pet

    Donald Trump Could Be The First US President In 150 Years Without A Pet
    With Mr Trump's inauguration on January 20, many are left wondering if his family will have a pet residing with them at the White House. If not, he could be the first president in 150 years without a pet.

    Donald Trump Could Be The First US President In 150 Years Without A Pet