Nirupama Rao, Indian Envoy To The U.S., Bids Farewell To Her Diplomatic Career

Washington: Nirupama Rao, Indian envoy to the U.S., bid farewell to her career of diplomacy, as members of the American diplomatic corps and her counterparts from countries like China and Brazil gathered at a reception hosted in her honour by the State Department.

"It is difficult to imagine that so much time has passed," Rao told a select audience gathered at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the U.S. State Department, which hosted a rare farewell reception for the Indian diplomat on the last day of her assignment .

Rao, 62, in the four-decade of being a diplomat served as India's Foreign Secretary, External Affairs Ministry's spokesperson and envoy to important countries like China and Sri Lanka.

"I leave with a great sense of optimism and hope and satisfaction that I have been able not only to learn so much but also to help build partnerships and forge relationship between India and a number of countries around the world," said Rao.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry sent a special message to Rao which was read on the occasion.

He appreciated Rao's role in strengthening the important partnership between India and the U.S. "I wish you all the best in the day, months and years to come," Kerry said in the message.