His appointment comes just days ahead of Mr Obama's arrival in India to attend the Republic Day parade as chief guest and also hold a bilateral strategic dialogue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He served as assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs at the State Department in the Obama Administration from 2009 to 2011.

The new Canadian envoy is the son of Gujarati immigrants. Speaking about his new role, 44-year-old Nadir Patel said: "I look forward to working with Prime Minister Modi and his government to further expand ties between Canada and India.

"There are several areas where collaboration is already strong, and there is scope for even greater cooperation to enhance our mutual prosperity, security and people-to-people ties."

Prior to his arrival in India, Mr Patel served as Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer for Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.

Before that he held a series of high level government positions, including Chief of Staff to the National Security Advisor to the Canadian Prime Minister, and Secretary to the Cabinet.

From 2009 to 2011, Mr Patel was Canada's Consul General in Shanghai.

He was selected in 2012 by the "Embassy" newspaper as one of the 80 most influential Canadians shaping Canada's foreign policy, an honour he got again in 2014 from the "Power and Influence" magazine.

In January 2011, he was profiled by Canada's "Globe and Mail" newspaper as one of "45 Canadians Changing the World".

He is a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science and the HEC Paris School of Management.

Zimbabwe's Ambassador Maxwell Ranga and Burundi's Ambassador Regine Katabarumwe also presented their credentials during the Rashtrapati Bhavan ceremony on Friday.

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