U.S. Opens New Chapter with Modi's India

Obama's invitation to "candidate Modi" in a congratulatory call on last Friday finally ended Washington's boycott of the BJP leader, whose U.S. visa was revoked in 2005 over his alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Neither Kerry nor the State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki made any reference to the visa flap that had threatened to derail what Obama has famously described as "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century".

Psaki announced matter-of-factly that Powell will depart New Delhi on May 22nd "with a deep appreciation of the Administration and the State Department for her outstanding work as ambassador to India."

"Under her guidance, we continued our strategic partnership across a number of important areas, such as trade, defence, space, and education," Psaki said without offering an explanation why Powell could not wait until the formation of the Modi government.

Former U.S. ambassador to South Korea Kathleen Stephens will step in to serve as the charge until a new permanent ambassador is nominated and confirmed by the Senate, she said.