Richard Verma – Obama’s envoy to India A week ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden visit to the US, President Barack Obama nominated Richard Rahul Verma, an American-Indian as the next Ambassador to India, reports cited. This comes at time when both the countries are looking forward to replenish their off and on relationship. If Verma becomes the US Ambassador to India, then it is hoped that there could be some positive changes. Hailing President Obama’s decision to nominate Richard Rahul Verma as the next Ambassador to India, the country’s top lawmakers said, “He will make an excellent Envoy”. The PTI report quotes Congressman Joe Crowley, Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus saying, “With over two decades of senior foreign policy experience, Rich Verma is a skilled and accomplished professional who will make an excellent Ambassador to India.” The US President on Thursday had formally sent Richard Rahul Verma’s nomination to the United States Senate where more than 50 ambassadorial nominees are pending for confirmation. A former Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs, Verma currently serves as Senior Counsellor at Steptoe & Johnson LLP and Albright Stonebridge Group. Richard Verma - Obamas envoy to India He is also a Senior National Security Fellow at the Centre for American Progress. “He is committed to building the US-India relationship, has access to the highest levels of the White House, and is exactly who we need at the helm as we look to further strengthen US-India relations,” Crowley said soon after Obama’s announcement. At a critical time for growing India-US relations, Congressman Ami Bera said Richard Rahul Verma is an experienced professional who will make “an outstanding ambassador” at such an important moment. “He has many years of foreign policy experience as a high ranking official with the US Department of State, as an adviser in both the US Senate and the US House of Representatives, and during his years in the US Air Force,” he said. “I know he understands the importance of strengthening the US-India partnership, and I look forward to working with him towards that goal as he takes on this new role,” said Bera, who is the only Indian-American in the current Congress and only the third ever. Richard Rahul Verma was Senior National Security Adviser, Counsel and Foreign Policy Adviser to the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid from 2002 to 2007, and an Associate at Steptoe & Johnson from 1998 to 2002. He also served on active duty in the US Air Force from 1994 to 1998 and received, among other decorations, the Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal. He is currently serving on the boards of Human Rights First, the Clinton Foundation, and the National Democratic Institute. He received a BS from Lehigh University, a JD from American University, and an LLM from Georgetown University Law Centre. Verma’s appointment as an US Ambassador could be seen as a turning point in the ties between the US and India especially at a time when things are looking better as both nations try to keep the past jitters behind and move on a positive note. Moreover, his understanding on India will further boost bilateral ties between the two countries.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 15:18:26 +0000
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