Obama Nominates Indian-American Richard Rahul Verma as Ambassador to India

President Barack Obama Thursday nominated former State Department official Richard Rahul Verma as U.S. ambassador to India.

Obama announced Verma's nomination along with other significant administration appointments.

"I am grateful that these impressive individuals have chosen to dedicate their talents to serving the American people at this important time for our country. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead," Obama said, reports indiatoday. 

Verma, an Indian American, worked as assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs at the State Department from 2009 to 2011.

Presently working as a senior counselor at Steptoe & Johnson law firm and the Albright Stonebridge Group, Verma is also a senior national security fellow at the Center for American Progress.

He served in the U.S. Air Force too as a Judge Advocate.

Verma's nomination comes ahead of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to U.S. later this month.

According to White House officials, Verma is close to White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, National Security Adviser Susan Rice and senior adviser John Podesta, reports Reuters.

Obama announced Verma's nomination along with other significant administration appointments.

"I am grateful that these impressive individuals have chosen to dedicate their talents to serving the American people at this important time for our country. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead," Obama said, reports indiatoday.

If approved by the Senate, Verma will replace Nancy Powell, who resigned in March after a controversy related to the treatment meted out to Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade.

Meanwhile, top U.S. legislators and distinguished Indian- Americans have welcomed Obama's decision to nominate Verma as the next ambassador to India.

"With over two decades of senior foreign policy experience, Rich Verma is a skilled and accomplished professional who will make an excellent ambassador to India," said Congressman Joe Crowley, Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus, reports The Financial Express.

Indian - American Attorney Ravi Batra said that Obama's nomination of Verma was an act of historic joy.

"To paraphrase Neil Armstrong, one small step for Ambassador Verma, and a giant leap for bilateral intimate ties between United States and India," Batra said, reports The Financial Express.