Verma Would Make An Excellent US Envoy To India: Congressmen

WASHINGTON: Top American lawmakers and eminent Indian-Americans have hailed President Barack Obama's decision to nominate Richard Rahul Verma as his next envoy to India, noting that he would make an excellent ambassador.

"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," Congressman Joe Crowley, Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus, said.

Obama announced his decision to nominate Verma as his next Ambassador to India.

If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the first Indian- American to head the U.S. diplomatic mission in New Delhi.

He would replace Nancy Powell, who resigned from the position early this year.

Obama formally sent Verma's nomination to the United States Senate yesterday, 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.

He is also a Senior National Security Fellow at the Centre for American Progress.

"He (Verma) is committed to building the U.S-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 U.S-India relations," Crowley said soon after Obama's announcement.

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