DAUGHTER OF INDIAN IMMIGRANTS TO RUN FOR US PRESIDENT

THE daughter of Indian immigrants could be the next President of the United States.

Nimrata Nikki Haley, who, during the Donald Trump presidency became the first female US Ambassador to the United Nations, has indicated an interest in the top job.

“It is time for a generational change,” 51-year-old Ms. Haley said, hinting at a run for the presidency.

She is likely to soon formalise her campaign to become the presidential nominee of the Republican party, according to American media reports.

Ms. Haley, who served for six years as the first female governor of South Carolina, is the daughter of a couple who migrated from the Amristrar District in Punjab, India.

Before migrating, her father, Ajit Ramdhawa, was a professor at Punjab Agricultural University, and her mother, Raj Ramdhawa, had a law degree from the University of Delhi.

Ms. Haley’s parents first moved to Vancouver, Canada, where her dad earned a PhD at the University of Columbia.

When he got a job offer in the US, the family moved to Bamburg, South Carolina.

Before retiring, Ajir Randhawa was a biology professor for 29 years at Voorhees College and served as Chairman of the Division of Natural Sciences.

Raj Ramdhawa earned a master’s degree and taught at Bamberg public schools while raising Nikki and two other children.

The family also operated a foreign goods store that evolved into a successful clothing and gift venture.

Ms. Haley attracted attention for her intellect and her outspoken personality and then entered public life.

She is putting together a national finance team and communications committee to explore a run for US President in 2024.

She is also reaching out to potential financial donors.

In calling for a new generation to lead the country, Ms. Haley took a jab at incumbent Joe Biden, 80, and former office-holder Donald Trump, 76, both of whom have expressed interest in running in 2024.

Several other aspirants are likely to seek the nomination of the Republican party.

Ms. Haley has served in business and women’s organisations.

She has said the fact that she is breaking ethnic and gender barriers “brings a new dynamic.”

She said she hopes it starts a conversation “where we no longer live by layers but by philosophies.”

In 1996, she married Michael Haley, a senior army officer.

They have a son and daughter.