US president-elect Donald Trump has announced that Florida Congressman Mike Waltz will be his pick for National Security Adviser.
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But how does the war veteran's appointment could benefit India? Waltz is the co-chair of the 40-member India Caucus, the largest bipartisan country-based group in Congress.
My time as a Green Beret showed me that America’s strength comes from the sacrifice of our veterans.
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) November 11, 2024
To my fellow veterans, THANK YOU for stepping up to defend the freedoms we enjoy as Americans 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/jWKOnrMEge
Waltz is also known for his warm relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was instrumental in coordinating the PM's Capitol Hill address during his 2023 visit.
He is a staunch proponent of improving security and defence ties with India to counter China. He serves on the GOP China taskforce and has maintained that the US is not ready for a conflict in the Indo-Pacific.
Who is Mike Waltz?
Mike Waltz, 50, is a retired Army colonel who was part of the special forces unit Green Beret. The three-term GOP Rep was elected a member of the US House of Representatives for the first time in 2019 and was re-elected last week.
Why has Iran been trying to kill President Trump? Because they think they can get away with it.
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) November 8, 2024
The Biden administration’s weakness over the last 4 years has emboldened our adversaries THAT MUCH.
We need strong assurances from Biden RIGHT NOW to deter these Iranian threats AND… pic.twitter.com/kHNHxVTPXf
He is also serving in the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Armed Services subcommittee on readiness.
Waltz is known for being a vocal critic of Joe Biden administration's move to withdraw troops from Afghanistan in 2021.