Nancy J Powell, a career diplomat with wide experience in South Asia,
has been named by U.S. President Barack Obama as the next Ambassador to
India, the first woman to be nominated for the coveted post.
64-year-old Ms. Powell would replace Timothy J Roemer, who resigned from
his post in April 2011 following a two-year stint as U.S. envoy to
India, after going through a confirmation process by the Senate. Peter
Burleigh is currently serving as the Charge d’affaires of the U.S.
embassy in India.
Ms. Powell, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, earlier
served as U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan and Nepal and also held various
diplomatic posts in Kolkata, New Delhi, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Islamabad and
Ottawa.
“These fine public servants both bring a depth of experience and
tremendous dedication to their new roles,” Mr. Obama said in a
statement, announcing Ms. 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, Ms. Powell was
conferred the personal rank of Career Ambassador in January 2011.
Prior to her current assignment, Ms. Powell served as Ambassador to
Nepal (2007-2009), Ambassador to Pakistan (2002-2004), Ambassador to
Ghana (2001-2002), and Ambassador to Uganda (1997-1999). Ms. Powell’s
Washington assignments include: Refugee Assistance Officer, Principal
Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Acting Assistant
Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Activities,
and the National Intelligence Officer for South Asia at the National
Intelligence Council.
Ms. Powell joined the Foreign Service in 1977 following six years as a high school social studies teacher in Dayton, Iowa.
She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa.
Keywords: Nancy J Powell, U.S. Ambassador to India, Barack Obama, Timothy J Roemer
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