PM Modi & Nikki Haley Discuss Cooperation, Counter-Terrorism & Oil

“Freedom of religion is as important as freedom of rights and freedom of people”, the US envoy said.

US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 June 2018.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@nikkihaley)

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday, 28 June, that it was important India cut Iranian oil use, but said the United States would work to allow India to use an Iranian port as a corridor to Afghanistan.

Sanctions are coming (on Iran) and we’re going forward on that, and with India and the US building strong relationships we hoped that they would lessen their dependence on Iran.

Nikki Haley

Haley also said to Reuters that she discussed the Indian-backed Chabahar port complex in Iran, being developed as part of a new transportation corridor which could open the way for millions of dollars in trade for Afghanistan and cut Afghanistan's dependence on Pakistan.

On 28 June, her first visit to India after becoming the US envoy to UN, Haley visited the Gauri Shankar Mandir, Jama Masjid, Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Central Baptist Church, a day after she said freedom of religion was as important as “freedom of rights and people”.

Haley, who is the daughter of Sikh immigrants from Punjab, also prepared rotis for langar at the gurudwara.

PM Modi and Ambassador Haley on Wednesday, 27 June, discussed ways to enhance India-US cooperation in various areas, including counter-terrorism.

Haley noted the deepening relations between India and the US, particularly in the strategic and defence sectors.

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 will continue to be an important factor for global peace and prosperity.

Statement from the Prime Minister’s Office

The PM appreciated President Donald Trump's South Asia and Indo-Pacific strategies and commended his initiative to denuclearise the Korean peninsula.

Haley conveyed greetings from President Trump while Modi warmly recalled their earlier meetings and interactions.

“Freedom of Religion is as Important as Freedom of Rights”: Haley

“Freedom of religion is as important as freedom of rights and freedom of people”, the US envoy to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on the first day of her India visit.

She also said there were opportunities in the Indo-US relationship at multiple levels, including on counter-terrorism, and her visit was aimed at solidifying the partnership between the two oldest democracies in the world.

Haley visited Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi early on 27 June and shared a photo on Twitter with the caption: “It’s great to be back.”

(Photo: AP)

(Photo: AP)

US envoy to the UN Nikki Haley waves during a visit to Humayuns Tomb, in New Delhi.

Later in the day, Haley also met Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi and reiterated America's commitment to ending child trafficking.

She met Satyarthi at the 'Mukti Ashram', a short-term rehabilitation home for rescued children in New Delhi to discuss children's rights, human rights and security matters, according to a statement by Satyarthi's office.

Haley, the 46-year-old Indian-American, said she is looking forward to an inter-faith tour scheduled in her itinerary on Thursday, 28 June.

She will also deliver remarks to a group of business and government leaders, students, and civil society on advancing US-India relations.

Talks between 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.

Haley had visited India in late 2014 when she was the South Carolina Governor.

The daughter of Sikh immigrants from Punjab, is the first Indian-American to serve in a Cabinet-level position in any US presidential administration.

(With inputs from PTI and Reuters)