WASHINGTON: U.S. Ambassador to India-designate Richard Verma would act as a "super bridge" between the two countries, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has said.

"We know his appointment comes at a crucial time in our bilateral relations with India, and I believe Rich will act as a superb bridge between our two nations," she said in a statement, a day after Verma was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by a voice vote.

"He (Verma) will play an integral part in planning President (Barack) Obama's trip to India in January to participate in the Republic Day celebration, the first time ever a U.S. President will have the honor," she said. Verma, 46, is first Indian-American to be the U.S. Ambassador to India.

"As our two countries broaden and strengthen their strategic partnership, the United States could have no better representative in India than Rich Verma," said Albright, who is chair of the Albright Stonebridge Group, where Verma till recently worked as a Senior Counselor.

"On behalf of Albright Stonebridge Group and my fellow Chairs, Samuel Berger and Carlos Gutierrez, I congratulate Richard Verma on his confirmation to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to India," she said.

Indian-Americans described the Senate confirmation as a historic day. "It is a historic day for the Indian American Community and Indians at large. It is days of celebration of joy in confirmation of the nomination of our new Ambassador to India an Indian-American Richard Verma," said Sampat Shivangi, national president of the Indian-American Forum for Political Education.

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