Nancy Powell named new US Ambassador to India

Washington, Dec 17 (PTI) Nancy J Powell, a career diplomat, who has earlier held diplomatic positions in India and also served as the American envoy to Pakistan, has been named the next US Ambassador to New Delhi. Nominated by President Barack Obama for the coveted post, the 64-year-old Powell would be the first woman US Ambassador to India and replaces Timothy J Roemer, who resigned from his post in April 2011 following a two-year stint, if her appointment is confirmed by the Senate. Peter Burleigh is currently serving as the Charge d'affaires of the US embassy in India. Powell, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, earlier served as US Ambassador to Pakistan and Nepal and also held various diplomatic posts in Kolkata, New Delhi, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Islamabad and Ottawa. She was US Ambassador to Pakistan from August 2002 to October 2004. She was appointed to the top diplomatic post in Pakistan when the US was first seeking Islamabad's cooperation in fighting al-Qaeda and the Taliban after the September 11, 2001, attacks. "These fine public servants both bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their new roles," Obama said in a statement announcing Powell's appointment and that of Dick Berner, who has been named Director, Office of Financial Research, Department of Treasury. "Our nation will be well-served by these individuals, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come," he said. Presently serving as Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources at the Department of State, Powell was conferred the personal rank of Career Ambassador in January 2011. PTI