iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
The nomination of former ambassador to India, Richard Verma, for Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources has been hailed by Indiaspora and netizens across the globe.
Verma, 54, is all set to become the senior most Indian American in the US State Department. He has been nominated by US President Joe Biden for the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources. Verma served as a US ambassador to India from January 16, 2015, to January 20, 2017, and is currently the Chief Legal Officer and Head of Global Public Policy at Mastercard.
His nomination awaits confirmation by the US Senate.
“By nominating Richard Verma to this senior State Department role, President Biden and Secretary Blinken have made an inspired choice. Because of his ample experience in the executive and legislative branches of government, his diplomatic vantage point as the 25th United States ambassador to India, and his international private sector leadership background as a partner at the global law firm of Steptoe & Johnson LLP and as Senior Counselor to the Albright Stonebridge Group, Verma is the right person to serve the country in the top echelons of the State Department. He possesses the character, temperament, and judgment to serve in this capacity. I am confident that the United States Senate will expeditiously confirm his well-deserved nomination,” said Indiaspora in a statement.
Verma stint in public service is highlighted by his roles as Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs in the Obama Administration, where he led the State Department’s efforts on Capitol Hill and served as a senior member of Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton’s team, and as the Senior National Security Advisor to the Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid.
He has also worked in the House of Representatives for longtime Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Committee, Jack Murtha, and is a veteran of the US Air Force, where he served on active duty as a Judge Advocate. In addition, he has served as a country director for the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in Eastern Europe. Most recently in May of 2022, Ambassador Verma was named to President Biden’s Intelligence Advisory Board.
Lauding Verma’s nomination, Indiaspora also highlighted his accomplishments.
“In nominating Rich to this very senior State Department role, President Biden and Secretary Blinken have made an inspired choice,” said Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of Indiaspora. “Given his significant experience in the executive and legislative branches of government, his critical diplomatic vantage point as the former U.S. Ambassador to India, and his international private sector leadership background, Rich is the ideal candidate to serve the country in the top echelons of the State Department. Equally importantly, he possesses the character, temperament and judgment to serve in this capacity.”
He has worked on a range of issues, including foreign policy, national security, and economic development. He has a strong track record of promoting US interests abroad and building strong relationships with foreign governments. He has been a member of the Secretary of State’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board and is the recipient of the State Department’s Distinguished Service Award and the Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship.
