Washington, July 19 (IANS) The Republican Party has in its manifesto affirmed India as its "geopolitical ally", urging the protection of different religious communities against violence and discrimination. It has also referred to "securing Pakistan's nuclear arsenal".
"India is our geopolitical ally and a strategic trading partner. The dynamism of its people and the endurance of their democratic institutions are earning their country a position of leadership not only in Asia but throughout the world," read the 58-page platform (manifesto) released on the opening day of its three-day National Convention here on Monday evening.
The platform encouraged the Indian government to permit expanded foreign investment and trade as "the key to rising living standards for those left out of their country's energetic economy".
The Republicans hailed the contributions made to the US by Indian Americans.
The platform also referred to Pakistan, stressing on the importance of a working relation which was "absolutely necessary", and "we look toward the renewal of historic ties that have frayed under the weight of international conflict".
It condemned the conflicts in the Middle East that have created "special political and military challenges for the people of Pakistan."
The platform said the US along with Afghanistan and Pakistan shared a common interest in ridding the region of the Taliban and securing Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
"That goal has been undermined by the current Administration’s feckless treatment of troop commitments and blatant disregard of advice from commanders on the ground, particularly with regard to Afghanistan," it said, slamming the Obama Administration.
"This process cannot progress as long as any citizen of Pakistan was punished for helping the war on terror," it added.
The platform went on to say a "Republican president will work with all regional leaders to restore mutual trust while insisting upon progress against corruption."
The convention began on Monday night in Cleveland, Ohio, with some 5,000 delegates representing the country's 50 states, the District of Colombia and five US territories. They will decide the party's presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump's future as the leader of the country.
