President Trump won't tolerate cross-border terrorism or terrorist safe havens: US envoy Kenneth Juster

President Donald Trump have been clear that the United States will not tolerate cross-border terrorism or terrorist safe havens anywhere, Kenneth Juster, Washington's envoy to India, said today. 

Speaking at his inaugural policy address on US India relations in New Delhi, Juster said, "President Trump and other US leaders have been clear that we will not tolerate cross-border terrorism or terrorist safe havens anywhere."

 "As part of this effort, last month we launched the first-ever US-India Counterterrorism Designations Dialogue. We need to continue to enhance the sharing of information, designations of terrorists, combating of financial crimes and networks, and disruption and dismantling of terrorist camps and operations – both regionally and globally," he said. 

Juster, however, made no reference to Pakistan in his speech. The US recently suspended military aid to Pakistan, with President Trump accusing Islamabad of "lies and deceit".

This was Juster's first policy speech since taking over as US Ambassador to India in November last year. 

A major part of Juster's speech was on ways to enhance economic and commercial relations. He also underlined that the US is concerned about persistent trade deficits with India. He described India as a potential regional trade hub for American businesses.

"India can seize the strategic opportunity through trade and investment to become an alternative hub for US business in the Indo-Pacific region," he said, adding that Trump's poll slogan 'America First' and the Centre's flagship initiative 'Make in India' are not incompatible. 

He stated that a number of US companies have reported "increasing difficulties" in conducting business in China.

Accordingly, some companies are downgrading their operations there, while others are looking with great interest in alternative markets.

Juster said the two countries initially faced challenging and complicated issues related to the transfer of sensitive US technology with both military and conventional applications. But after the initial "strained" exchanges, the two countries soon developed a series of reciprocal steps to gain confidence and move forward.

"Now, India is celebrating its membership in two of the four multilateral export control regimes the Wassenaar Arrangement on dual-use items, which India just joined, and the Missile Technology Control Regime.

"We also expect in the very near future for India to join the Australia Group on chemical and biological weapons. And we are working closely with India and our international partners to secure India s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group," he said.

He said the US sees New Delhi as a "leading power" in the strategically significant Indo-Pacific region because of shared values and "common interests." 

On defence and counter-terrorism, Juster observed that both India and the US have suffered "horrific terrorist attacks" and continue to be targeted.

"We have a strong mutual interest in eliminating this threat to our societies. President Trump and other US leaders have been clear that we will not tolerate cross-border terrorism or terrorist safe havens anywhere," he said.

On regional cooperation, Juster said India and US have a strong interest in promoting peace, security, and prosperity in Afghanistan. 

"Our leaders are committed to supporting Afghanistan’s National Unity Government and helping build that country’s democratic institutions.  We are each investing substantial resources on Afghanistan’s reconstruction and future.  These efforts not only advance regional development and stability, but help to eliminate safe havens for terrorists," he said. 

He described regional cooperation to promote stability and welfare the final pillar in building out our strategic partnership.

"A second area for coordination is multilateral activities with other like-minded countries in the region, including Japan and Australia," he said. 

Describing an incident which he said resonates with him, Juster said, "One compliment that does resonate with me was offered by the President of India when I presented my credentials:  he called me “a friend of India.”  It is a comment that others have made as well, which I consider a great honour. I have reflected on what it means to be “a friend of India” and why I think it is significant."