India-U.S. relationship ‘defining partnership’ for this century: Former Ambassador Richard Verma

“The relationship is so consequential in so many ways,” Richard Verma said.

The relationship between India and the U.S. is the "defining partnership" for the 21st century, America’s former Ambassador to the country Richard Verma has told lawmakers and urged the Senate to confirm the next envoy to New Delhi at the earliest.

A strong advocate of deepening Indo-U.S. ties, Mr. Verma played a key role in the Congressional passage of the civil nuclear deal. He was sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador to India in 2014, becoming the first ever Indian-American to hold the post. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to India from 2014 to 2017.

“I continue to believe this is the “defining partnership” for this century. The relationship is so consequential in so many ways, and having a senior official on the ground that represents the President makes a big difference,” Mr. Verma told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing for Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources.

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Mr. Verma was responding to a confirmation of the next U.S. Ambassador to India, a post that has been laying vacant for more than two years now.

“I think everyone hopefully appreciates the urgency with the need to put someone there as soon as possible. It's also, I would say, a morale issue for the team. But more importantly, just delivering on the President's priorities,” Mr. Verma said.

Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Chris van Hollen underscored the importance for the Senate to confirm an Ambassador right away to represent the U.S. in New Delhi.