New Delhi, June 27 (IANS) After US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement that President Donald Trump may undertake a visit to India early next year, veteran leaders called it a “great opportunity” to reset ties following the West Asia conflict and amid the proposed trade deal between the two nations.

Chairman of Australia India Strategic Alliance, Jagvinder Singh Virk, termed Rubio’s statement as “very significant development”.

“After the war, the relationships are being reset. Over the last one or two years US’ relations were strained not only with India but with countries across the world — whether it was Australia, Canada, Europe or France,” he told IANS.

Moreover, he underlined that ignoring India can prove to be “dangerous” for any nation in the world.

“When US President Donald Trump visits India (next year), it will be a great opportunity to reset ties,” he added.

Echoing similar view, former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) S.P. Vaid said: “Over the past some time, relations between India and the US have witnessed some strain. Especially since President Donald Trump came to power, things have changed. Otherwise, India and the US had maintained a strategic partnership.”

“He (President Trump) singled out India for 50 per cent tariff and recently when he imposed 15 per cent tariff on other nations, Trump declared that we need to pay 10 per cent extra. So, he has signaled out India,” he said.

Referring to Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir being appreciated by the US, the former Jammu and Kashmir DGP said: “This has definitely strained our ties. I credit Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Foreign Ministry for maintaining patience.”

BJP MP Brij Lal said: “Donald Trump is welcome in India. America is still the largest economy in the world and is our biggest business partner. So, when he comes, our trade deal which is already in the final stage… our relationship with America will be stronger.”

Meanwhile, Marco Rubio also said that India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is on its way to becoming a global power and increasingly participating in the decisions being made on the international stage.

Reacting to Rubio’s remark, BJP leader Rohan Gupta questioned the Opposition whether they agree to the praise showered by the senior US official.

“They should have at least tweeted that they are standing with US’ appreciation for PM Modi’s leadership and India’s economy,” he told IANS.

However, Congress MP Imran Masood accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government of handing over India’s market to America.

Referring to the proposed India-US trade deal, Masood said: “India’s economy, its farmers will be destroyed while US economy will prosper, so why won’t they praise us.”

–IANS

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