Ivanka Trump's India visit raises questions about her brand

Ivanka Trump described the hurdles faced by women during a speech at a business conference in India, which is treating her trip like a royal visit.

U.S. presidential adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump speaks during the opening of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

But her solo outing also highlighted questions about whether her message of empowering poor women matches her actions.

Trump's speech Tuesday at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in the southern city of Hyderabad was broadcast live throughout India by major news channels. A buildup worthy of a Bollywood musical included cultural references that ranged from independence leader Mahatma Gandhi to the movie "Slumdog Millionaire."

U.S. presidential adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump applauds during the opening of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

The city had cleared away beggars and filled potholes ahead of the visit by Trump, the daughter of President Donald Trump and a senior presidential adviser.

"As a former entrepreneur, employer, and executive in a male-dominated industry, I've seen firsthand that all too often women must do more than their male counterparts to prove themselves at work, while also disproportionately caring for their families at home," Trump said in her speech.

But the conference's focus on female entrepreneurs raises questions about some of the commercial decisions made by Trump and her namesake brand.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left and U.S. presidential adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump prepare to leave after the opening ceremony of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Critics have faulted her for failing to use her leadership role to call out labor and human rights abuses, particularly in China, where the bulk of her U.S. merchandise ships from. And they point out that she has failed to take a public stand on alleged abuses in her brand's own supply chain.

Trump stepped back from day-to-day management of her brand before taking on an official role as White House adviser, but still retains an ownership interest.

"After my father's election, I saw an opportunity to leave my businesses for the privilege of serving our country, and empowering all Americans to succeed," she said in the speech.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, second left, U.S. presidential adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump, center, and Telangana state Chief Minister K. Chandrashekara Rao, left, arrive for the opening of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar. A)

Her father praised her speech, saying "Great work Ivanka!" in a tweet late Tuesday in which he shared a U.S. State Department video of her remarks.

Abigail Klem, president of the Ivanka Trump brand, has called supply chain integrity "a top priority," but the brand has not joined the growing number of companies that publicly identify their manufacturers.

A September investigation by The Associated Press showed that Trump's supply chain has become more opaque than ever since she took on her White House role, making it impossible to know whom her company is doing business with around the world. The brand has said supply chains are the responsibility of its licensees.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left watches as U.S. presidential adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump presses the button on a robot during the opening of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Earlier this month, 23 rights groups signed a letter urging Trump, her brand and two licensees to publish the names and addresses of suppliers.

They also urged Trump and her brand to publicly demand that the Chinese government not prosecute three activists detained this past summer while investigating the brand's supply chain, and allow independent monitoring of factories.

Trump was joined at Tuesday's conference by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"What you are achieving here is truly extraordinary," Trump said. "From your childhood selling tea to your election as India's prime minister, you've proven that transformational change is possible."

U.S. presidential adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump gestures as she speaks during the opening of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Modi was scheduled to host Trump for dinner at the luxurious Falaknuma Palace Hotel.

"This event showcases the close ties between the United States of America and India," Modi said. "It underlines our shared commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation."

Trump did not spend a lot of time during her speech discussing U.S. politics, although she did say the administration was "laser focused on passing long overdue tax cuts."

The cleanup of Hyderabad, a southern technology hub, began a month ahead of the conference, when the city began rounding up several hundred homeless people and beggars.

Dancers perform during the opening of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The event — co-hosted by the United States and India and attended by U.S. presidential adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi — runs from Nov. 28-30. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Officials said the drive against begging was launched because two international events were taking place in the city — the entrepreneurship summit and the World Telugu Conference in December. Begging is a criminal offense in India and can be punished by as much as 10 years in prison, although the law is rarely enforced.

Beggars tend to crowd around cars at traffic signals, knocking on windows and asking for food and money. They include children as young as 5, who weave through dangerous traffic and often perform small acrobatic acts.

"It's cool that she's coming," said Amani Bhugati, a medical student, before the speech. "She's glamorous, beautiful and powerful. It's like a combination of Hollywood and politics."

U.S. presidential adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump gestures as she speaks during the opening of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Others marveled at the improvements made around Hyderabad. "All new," said Gopal, a taxi driver who gave only his first name.

But he also pointed to the potholes that remain on many smaller streets. "She's not coming here, so they didn't fix it," he said.

More than 1,200 people were attending the three-day conference, although not everyone was thrilled about Trump's presence.

"It's now being called Ivanka Trump's summit. It totally overshadows all our work," said Sangeeta Agarawal, the chief executive of U.S. startup Helpsy Health. "We feel that's it become more about her."

The annual entrepreneurship conference has a theme this year of "Women first, prosperity for all," and involves networking, mentoring and workshops.

Trump was to host at least two panel discussions before leaving Wednesday.

VADODARA, India (AP) — Virat Kohli scored a masterful 93 off 91 balls as India won the first ODI against New Zealand by four wickets on Sunday.

Kohli hit eight fours and a six to shepherd India’s innings to 306-6 in 49 overs in reply to the Black Caps’ 300-8 (50 overs). Daryl Mitchell top-scored for the visitors with 84 off 71 balls.

Pacer Kyle Jamieson picked up 4-41 in 10 overs as India’s chase suffered hiccups in the final stages. But Harshit Rana scored 29 off 23 balls as Lokesh Rahul and Washington Sundar helped finish off the game in the hosts' favour.

Rahul scored 29 not out off 21 balls, hitting two fours and a six to finish off the game with six balls to spare.

This was after Devon Conway (56) and Henry Nicholls (62) put on 117 runs for the first wicket, but New Zealand lost its way thereafter with five wickets for 81 runs.

With the win, India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second ODI will be played in Rajkot on Wednesday.

Put in to bat, New Zealand made a brilliant start. Conway and Nicholls started watchfully, with the latter surviving a dropped catch. Then, the duo attacked as 100 came up in 119 deliveries.

Both openers reached 50 off 60 balls, and then looked to press on. Rana got the breakthrough against the run of play when Nicholls was caught behind chasing a wide delivery.

Conway played on but was also bowled off Rana two overs later. Mohammed Siraj then had Will Young caught behind for 12 as New Zealand was down to 146-3.

Mitchell held the innings together with a fine half-century off 51 balls, even as the middle-order struggled to get going.

None of the lower-middle order batters crossed 20, until debutant Kristian Clarke scored 24 off 17 balls.

Along with Mitchell, who hit five fours and three sixes, they did just enough to help New Zealand breach an unlikely 300-mark.

In reply, Rohit Sharma started off with three fours and two sixes, scoring 26 off 29 balls. He put on 39 for the first wicket with skipper Shubman Gill, who struggled for timing.

Sharma mistimed off Jamieson in the ninth over and was out caught. Kohli then came to the crease and powered his way to 50 off just 44 balls.

Gill also found form and reached 50 off 66 balls, as the duo put on a dominant 118 runs off 107 balls for the second wicket.

Wrist spinner Adithya Ashok had Gill caught in the 27th over against the run of play. It didn’t faze India as Kohli calmly added 77 off 76 balls with Shreyas Iyer (49 off 47 balls) for the third wicket.

India faltered in the final phase though as Jamieson struck three times in quick succession. First, Kohli was out caught at mid-off seven short of his century. Five balls later, Ravindra Jadeja hit straight to mid-on.

Jamieson then bowled Iyer to reduce India to 242-5. Rahul and Rana added 37 off 31 balls, with the latter benefitting from a dropped catch.

Despite Rana’s dismissal, Rahul stayed calm to finish off the game as New Zealand faltered in the field.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

New Zealand's captan Michael Bracewell gestures during practice session ahead of first One Day International cricket match against India in Vadodara, India, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

India's captain Shubman Gill during a practice session ahead of the first One Day International cricket match against New Zealand in Vadodara, India, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)