US nominates Obama administration insider Rich Vermer as its new ambassador to India
Indian-American lawyer with extensive diplomatic credentials in line as new US ambassador to New Delhi in appointment seen as seeking to calm relations
President Barack Obama on Thursday nominated former State Department official Rich Verma to be the new US ambassador to India.
Verma, an Indian-American and lawyer by trade, served in Obama’s first term and is seen as close to the administration.
That someone close to the Obama circle is being sent to India as America’s top envoy suggests the administration is eager to patch up its sometimes frayed ties with the South Asian power.
The nomination also comes as Obama prepares to welcome new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington at the end of this month.
Washington has worked hard to restore relations after a series of spats. They include a crisis in December when US authorities arrested Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in New York for allegedly mistreating her housekeeper.
“Rich has been instrumental in shaping American foreign policy during the course of his career.”
The incident triggering fury in New Delhi and led to the resignation of then ambassador Nancy Powell, whom Verma would replace if confirmed by the Senate.
