Tue Nov 12 16:44:57 UTC 2024: ## Trump Picks China Hawk and India Supporter as National Security Advisor

**Washington D.C. -** President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Representative Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican and decorated Army Colonel, to serve as his National Security Advisor. Waltz, known for his strong stance against China and his vocal support for a closer US-India partnership, brings a wealth of experience in both military and foreign policy to the role.

Waltz, a veteran of the Afghanistan War, has served in the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He has been a consistent critic of China’s human rights record, its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its aggressive foreign policy.

**Strong Ties to India**

Waltz has also emerged as a strong advocate for a formal alliance between the US and India, seeing it as a crucial bulwark against China’s growing influence in the region. He has argued that a US-India alliance would not only counter China’s regional ambitions but also help secure vital supply chains and protect against potential threats in Afghanistan.

**Congressional Delegation to India**

Waltz has been a frequent visitor to India, leading a Congressional delegation to Delhi last year and attending the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has met with top Indian officials, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and has consistently called for strengthening the US-India strategic partnership.

**Trump’s National Security Agenda**

Waltz’s appointment is seen as a signal of Trump’s intention to prioritize a tough stance against China and a strengthened relationship with India. He has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, arguing that it emboldened China and its regional allies like Pakistan.

Waltz’s appointment, coupled with his strong support for a formal US-India alliance, suggests a significant shift in the US’s strategic focus in the Indo-Pacific region. His experience and policy positions will likely shape Trump’s approach to national security and foreign policy in the years to come.

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