US president-elect Donald Trump has picked Indian-origin Nikki Haley for a cabinet position. She has been nominated as the US Ambassador to the United Nations.
44-year-old Nikki Haley is the governor of South Carolina and was a Trump critic until recently.
The UN ambassador post is of cabinet rank and if Haley -- a staunch conservative with no foreign policy experience -- is confirmed by the Senate she will become a powerful figure in world diplomacy, despite previously clashing with Trump.
Daughter of Indian immigrants Ms Haley is the first woman governor of South Carolina.
Born to Sikh parents- Ajit Singh Randhawa and Raj Kaur Randhawa of Amritsar (India), she was earlier named Nimrata Randhawa.
Her inclusion in Trump’s otherwise all white cabinet brings a measure of diversity. With no experience in foreign policy, if her appointment is confirmed by Senate, Nikki Haley will become a powerful figure in the world politics.
Trump's choice of Haley for the UN was announced amid reports that Trump is considering another vocal critic -- the former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney -- for the key post of secretary of state.
