Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador, has declared her candidacy for President of the United States in 2024.
She is the second major Republican candidate to enter the race, following former President Donald Trump’s announcement in November.
She said in 2021 she wouldn’t challenge him for the White House, but changed her mind in recent months, citing the need for “generational change”.
Ms. Haley is the third Indian American to run for president.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence are among the Republicans who are expected to launch campaigns for nomination.
She has previously criticized Mr. Trump’s behavior leading up to and during his supporters’ attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
The day after the riot, she said in a speech that “his actions since election day will be judged harshly by history”.
Most early polls show Mr Trump with a comfortable lead in South Carolina, whose primary he won on his way to the presidency in 2016, indicating the former ambassador will face an uphill battle even on what should be friendly ground.
According to a recent Trafalgar Group poll of current and likely candidates, Mr Trump is in first place with 43% and Ms Haley is in fourth place with 12%.
Other Indian Americans who ran before her included Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, whose 2015 bid failed to gain traction, and current Vice President Kamala Harris, who ran for President in 2020.