Nikki Haley, Top Indian-American Official in Trump Administration, Stresses on 'Religious Freedom' on First Day of India Visit
Haley is expected to meet top officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, apart from interacting with civil society groups, business delegations and interfaith community leaders.
New Delhi, June 27: United States envoy to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, is on a two-day visit to India. On Wednesday, she was scheduled to visit top shrines and historical monuments in the national capital region. While speaking to the media outside the Humayun Tomb, Haley stressed on "preserving religious freedom".
Describing freedom of religion as a common factor binding New Delhi and Washington, Haley said both the countries should continue to take conscious efforts in strengthening the communal harmony.
"We think freedom of religion is as important as freedom of rights and freedom of people," added Haley, who is the topmost Indian-American official in the Trump administration.
"It makes my heart happy to be back in India, it is as beautiful as I remember it to be. Its always good to be back home. My parents said I was crazy to come at this time of the year because it is so hot. But, I will tell you that the heat is worth it to be back in India," she said.
Haley, who is the daughter of Punjabi Sikh immigrants to the US, last visited India in 2014 when she was the Governor of South Carolina.
On her current visit, she is expected to meet top officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, apart from interacting with civil society groups, business delegations and interfaith community leaders. According to reports, she is also expected to call upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Haley's visit is being seen as a confidence-building measure ahead of the '2+2 ministerial dialogue' between India and the US on July 6. The event, to be held in Washington, will feature a top level meet between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, along with the US Defence Secretary, James Mattis.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2018 04:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).