The US Ambassador to the UN with Indian Ambassador to the United States Navtej Sarna.
The US-India relationship will grow stronger under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, during a visit to the residence of Indian Ambassador to the United States Navtej Sarna in Washington, DC, on Wednesday.
“We’re seeing a growing interest, and a growing relationship and seeing that happen,” Haley said. “The president is very, very fond of what is happening with India, growing that relationship trying to make sure that we do more with India.â€
“I think that sky’s the limit now. We are going to continue to try and show the values of India to the United States and continue trying to show the values of the US to India,” she added.
The diplomat, the highest ranking Indian American in the administration, called for streamlining of the reforms happening in the two countries.
“He [Trump] very much wants to streamline and do all of these reforms, that are very true for this administration too. So I think it’s a good combination to have them [Trump and Modi] together,” Haley said.
Noting that the United States and India have so much in common, Haley said that the president likes what is happening in India.
Haley also said that, since joining administration, she has been carefully monitoring the strong growth in bilateral relation, which she said didn’t happen during the last two presidencies.
“It didn’t make sense to me because when you look at the values, they’re the same. When you look at the work ethic and what they believe from a corporate standpoint — the same. When you look at the research and all the things that we do, these two democracies have so much in common,” she said.
Haley said Indian Ambassador Sarna  is “unbelievably respected†by the Trump administration and they appreciate working with him and he makes the administration feel they have a friend who understands the US-India relations.
She concluded her press conference saying that she is a proud daughter of Indian parents how reminded her every day how blessed she was to live in the United States.
Some prominent members of the Indian American community were also present at the gathering. “Honoured to host Amb @nikkihaley at Embassy residence yesterday along with influential figures from Indian American community,†tweeted Ambassador Sarna.
“Thank you to Ambassador @NavtejSarna and Dr. Sarna for hosting us at their home in DC. We had a great discussion with business and academic leaders about the contributions of Indian Americans to our country as well as the importance of the US-India relationship,” Haley tweeted after visiting Sarna.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Ambassador Haley visited the Embassy of India. She visited the Embassy Residence.