US: Working for India’s NSG membership
Smita Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 11
US Ambassador Kenneth Juster today batted for India-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and for their strong partnership to transform into a durable one.
During his inaugural policy speech at think-tank Carnegie India, Juster said the US continues to talk to international partners regarding India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). He hoped for India’s increased economic development assistance in Afghanistan and sought to work with India to counter terrorism. “Pakistan has not done all it could to eliminate safe havens of terror and the Trump administration has zero tolerance for cross-border terrorism,” he said.
Re-emphasising India’s role as a leading power in Indo-Pacific, he stressed like-minded countries, such as Japan and Australia, should work together to ensure free and open region, where rule of law and democratic principles are reflected in a rules-based order and sovereignty and territorial integrity respected. To enhance working ease, he sought expansion of bilateral military exercises to multi-services. “India and the US already conduct a robust series of bilateral exercises. While these have been increasingly realistic single-service scenarios, it is time to consider a multi-service exercise, perhaps focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” he said.
Juster expressed concerns at “persistent trade deficit with India” and argued that India could “become an alternative hub for US business in the Indo-Pacific region” against China.
He denied reports that there would be deportation of some 750,000 H1B visa holders waiting for green cards. “That is not under consideration in this review. We are looking more broadly and prospectively how our various categories of visas are working and if they need to be refined,” he said.
