In US eyes, 'Iran is the next North Korea': Nikki Haley in Delhi

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley came down hard on Iran, China and Pakistan while praising India in glowing terms. Haley, who is in India on a three-day visit, was speaking at a press meet in Delhi.

She said that in the US's eyes, "Iran is the next North Korea", adding that "we don't believe this because of some ideas but because of proof. We have seen that in spite of the Iran deal, it (Iran) continued to violate resolution after resolution."

Haley went on to say that the US seeks a productive relationship with China but that they do not share the same democratic values as the US. And that "their expansion in the region without respect for rights unlike India will limit their relationship with US."

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Finally, she said the US "values Pakistan as a partner but we cannot tolerate the state becoming a haven for terrorists and hope to see a change."

"North Korea dedicated their effort towards building nuclear forces and strong sanctions have curtailed them over time. Iran is a theocratic dictatorship and their pursuit of a nuclear weapons threatens all of us," said Haley.

"On the other hand," she added, "India holds nuclear capabilities as well but is widely respected."

"This is because India is democratic and is a member of three non-proliferation groups. India and America share a natural friendship," said Haley.

She added that ""at the Shangri-la Dialogue, Prime Minister Modi spoke about free and open Indo-Pacific region. President Trump believes in this vision. India’s vision is aspirational but it is realistic."

That US-India relations have grown from indifference and mutual suspicion to friendship and partnership. And that "today, Indian Americans are the most educated and highly philanthropic minority in US."