`Whoever Wins in US, Indo-US Relations will Witness Continuity’’ – Mark Azua

Amritsar, September 13 (Punjab Post Bureau)- “Whoever wins in US elections, be it Democrats or the Republics, there would be witnessed a continuity in the US elections’’, said Mark Azua, an Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in New Delhi. He was addressing the students at Khalsa University (KU) here today on the subject of `US Electoral Process and It Ramifications for Indo-US Ties’’.

Mark who is expert on international relations and diplomatic affairs said that US views India as its most significant strategic partner in South Asia and change of Presidency will not impact these perceptions. He added that the Indo-US relations will continue to marked by mutual trust and cooperation in fighting against terrorism, fighting pollution and international peace in region.

Mark was earlier welcomed by KU vice chancellor Dr.SS Chahal who said in his welcome address that all eyes around the world were on who wins the US Elections. “US is economic and military super power and its change of regime certainly affect the world politics. But both India and US are the democracies fighting common enemy of terrorism and religious fundamentalism, so the relation of two countries would continue to be marked by the shared perceptions and challenges’’, said Dr. Chahal.

During an interactive session the students Mark Azua said that Pakistan’s across the border support to terrorism against India has been a major concern of the US. He added that the emergence of China and its military oriented aggression in South China Sea is also a matter of grave concern for India as well as US and thus both the countries foresee a future cooperation in the strategic affairs. The students asked queries about the various aspects including Republican Party’s nominee Donald Trump’s assertions on migration laws and minority communities in US.

“These are mere rhetoric which are usually seen during elections but the US is largely welcoming to migrants and it is secular and open society’’, said he. Ayesha Gideon, Cultural Affairs specialist also accompanied the guest speaker. They were honoured with the mementoes on the arrival on varsity’s campus. KU Registrar Dr.JS Dhillon said in his vote of thanks that US elections this time have generated lot of interest even in India. He said the students were immensely benefitted by the lecture by an expert who has first hand experience of the politics as being the diplomat. KU Director Cultural Affairs, Dr.Sukhbir Kaur Mahal, Director Research Dr.RK Dhawan, Dr.Jaspal Singh, Principal, Khalsa College of Law, DS Rataul, Deputy Director, PR, were present during the program