New York, September 25: The United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday, while addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) appreciated India’s effort to reduce poverty. Speaking at the UNGA, Trump said, “There is India, a free society of over a billion people, lifting people out of poverty into the middle class.” He also appreciated Saudi Arabia for going ahead with social reforms. Trump hailed Israel and Poland for economic growth.

The United States President also criticised the leadership in Iran. Trump also accused the Iranian government of spreading chaos in its own country as well as in the world. He termed Iran as the world's largest sponsor of terrorism and added that his government would allow it to possess nuclear weapons.

Donald Trump appreciating India at UNGA:

During his address, Trump also lashed out at the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), accusing it of arbitrarily raising the crude oil rates to affect the economy of oil importing nations adversely. He said, “The OPEC is responsible for the unreasonable hike in fuel prices. They are the same nations who rely on us for protecting them. And then, they want to exploit the situation. I want to make this clear -- we will not accept the horrible oil prices.”

The United States President also hit out at World Trade Organisation and accused it of favouring China. He said, “Our trade deficit has ballooned due to the unfair practices of China, and our workers are being traumatised, yet the WTO threatens us with action.” He further added that the US would not surrender its sovereignty to global unelected bureaucracy.

It was the second address in the UNGA after becoming the president. Yesterday, while interacting with reporters at the UN, Trump hinted that he would be meeting North Korea’s Kim Jong Un “quite soon”. Trumps’ remarks came one year after he threatened to destroy the communist state and also called Kim as "rocket man".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2018 09:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).