NEW DELHI: National Security Adviser Ajit Kumar Doval is expected to attend the ‘inauguration’ of President-elect Donald Trump as a special invitee on January 20, breaking the tradition of senior foreign officials not visiting Washington on such occasions, according to Shalabh Kumar, a member of Trump transition team and Chicago-based Indian-origin business tycoon.
Kumar, who is in Delhi to meet senior ministers of the Modi government to help prepare a road map for Indo-US ties, particularly in the area of economics under the Trump administration also held substantial discussions with Doval on common strategic goals, including situation in South Asia and India’s extended neighborhood.
“NSA Doval recently visited USA to meet NSA designate Michael Flynn. It was a fruitful meeting. Doval is expected to attend few events surrounding the inauguration of President-elect Trump on January 20, as a special invitee, ” Kumar, also a community organiser for Trump’s campaign, told ET.
Kumar, a member of Trump’s Transition Finance and Inauguration Committee, also held threadbare discussions with Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari on preparing mechanism for enhancing bilateral trade from current $100 billion to $ 300 by the end of Trump’s four-year term.
“During my ongoing trip, I also plan to meet Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Let me make it clear that enhancing and expanding trade will be priority for the Trump administration. Focusing on trade will also create jobs and enable to increase American and Indian investments in each other’s country,” pointed out Kumar, who is working closely with Steven Mnuchin, a banker who is Trump’s Treasury Secretary pick.
However, to ensure smooth flow of trade and economic growth, peace and stability is a pre-requisite in South Asia and the extended region, said Kumar, adding Delhi and Washington would strengthen their defence and security partnership under Trump Presidency that would contribute in a major way to spur economic ties.
Asked as to when Prime Minister Modi and Trump could meet following January 20 inauguration, Kumar remarked, “The two leaders would meet in the first year of Trump presidency. Modi and Trump would make a great partnership.”
Source:- Et
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