South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley poses for a photo with a delegate on the third day of the Republican National Convention on July 20, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)


Nikki Haley, South Carolina’s Indian American Governor, met President-elect Donald Trump, Nov. 17, amid reports that she is being considered for the post of Secretary of State, writes Lalit K. Jha. – @siliconeer #siliconeer #realDonaldTrump #DonaldTrump #WhiteHouse #NikkiHaley


“We’re just happy to have her here for her advice and her counsel and hearing about the great success story that is South Carolina under her leadership,” Trump Campaign manager Kellyanne Conway said as she arrived at Trump Towers to meet the President-elect.

Haley, 44, considered a rising star in the Republican Party, had backed Senator Marco Rubio in the Republican primary. However, before the general elections, Haley came out in support of Trump, saying that she would be voting for the billionaire tycoon from New York.

The daughter of Indian immigrants, she would bring both racial and gender diversity to the Trump administration.

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani is also a strong contender for the position, according to reports and sources.

Among others the 70-year-old Trump would be meeting former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, General (rtd) Jack Keane, Admiral Mike Rogers and Ken Blackwell.

While some of these meetings are about potential cabinet members, others are about sharing ideas and advice.

Earlier in the day, a close aide of Trump from South Carolina said that Haley was being considered for a Cabinet position, including that of the Secretary of State.

“It would be like how Mr. Trump is bringing fresh eyes to running our government,” South Carolina Lt. Governor Henry McMaster told The Post and Courier. The daily did not provide any other details.

The Trump transition team has so far not given any indication of who all will be filling various Cabinet positions. The President-elect himself has tweeted that only he knows the final list.

McMaster, who started speaking with the Trump team soon after their historic victory told the local South Carolina daily that the first women governor of the State, who is also the first Indian American woman governor, is being considered for various Cabinet position, including the State of State.

Neither the office of the South Carolina Governor nor the Trump transition team have responded to this report so far.

While the news was welcomed in South Carolina, a political analyst appeared to be skeptical of such a proposal.

“Secretary of state is going to be a bit of a stretch for Haley’s area of expertise. Haley has yet to be vetted about foreign policy, trade and protectionism,” said College of Charleston political scientist Kendra Stewart.

Haley is the second Indian American name being floated for a Cabinet position in the Trump Administration. Former Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal is also appearing in many short lists of potential Cabinet names.