Nikki Haley to embody vibrant parts of American society before UN: Trump Transition team

WASHINGTON: As a "proud daughter" of Indian- American immigrants, Nikki Haley, tapped by US President-elect Donald Trump to be UN ambassador, will embody vibrant parts of the American society before the world forum, the Trump Transition team has said.

South Carolina Governor Haley, whose Sikh parents immigrated from Punjab, is the highest ranking Indian-American nominated in the Trump Administration.

"As a proud daughter of Indian-American immigrants and as a 44-year-old mother of teenage children, she will embody vibrant parts of the American society before the world forum," the incoming White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, told reporters during a conference call.

"As governor, she has led South Carolina through major crisis's with bold strength but also with compassion. Governor Haley successfully led trade missions to Japan, Germany, France and Canada as well as a widely-praised trip to India that was celebrated in that vital part of the world," he said.

"The governor has a proven ability to make agreements with foreign counterparts and business leaders for the betterment of the US," Spicer said.

Even as she has no experience in diplomacy and foreign policy, Haley's confirmation hearing was praised by several top American lawmakers.

"I know that Governor Haley is a fierce advocate for US interests, all of us who met with her in our offices have seen that. I really do believe that she is a person that knows the United Nations needs tremendous reform and change, and I really believe we have a right to demand that as the largest contributor, as the greatest country on Earth," said Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Introducing Haley at the confirmation hearing the South Carolina Senator Lindsay Graham said she is the right person at the right person to serve as UN Ambassador.

"I think Nikki Haley, our Governor in South Carolina, is the right person at the right time. She represents a combination of intellect, determination, grace, and an understanding of America that the world needs to hear," he said.