Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Monday (August 12, 2024) took charge as the Indian ambassador to the United States.
Mr. Kwatra, 61, till recently was India's Foreign Secretary.
He succeeds Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who retired from the foreign service early this year and served as India’s top diplomat in the U.S. from 2020 to 2024.
“Delighted to welcome Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra as the new Ambassador of India to the United States of America. All of us (at the Indian Embassy) are excited to work under his leadership,” Charge D'Affaires Sripriya Ranganathan said in a post on X.
A group of eminent Indian Americans from the Greater Washington DC area had gathered at the Dulles International Airport to welcome the new Indian Ambassador. However, they could not meet him.
Mr. Kwatra, who previously served as Minister of Commerce in the Indian Embassy here is expected to present his credentials to the US President Joe Biden shortly.
He was also India’s Ambassador to France and Nepal, after which he was appointed as the foreign secretary.
He retired from the foreign service on July 14.
Dignitaries extend wishes
U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti congratulated Vinay Mohan Kwatra on assuming charge as India’s Ambassador to the United States on Tuesday (August 13, 2024).
In a post on X, Eric Garcetti said, “Congratulations to my friend Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra on your appointment as the Ambassador of India to the United States! Looking forward to working closely with you and taking our partnership to new heights. Wishing you all the best #USIndiaFWD.”
The U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum also welcomed India’s new Ambassador to the U.S.
Growing U.S.-India partnership
On Monday (August 12, 2024) (local time), the White House said that President Joe Biden views the United States’ relationship with India as one of the most consequential in the world, adding that both countries “work closely” on vital priorities. In a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre said that the U.S. works with India on key priorities, including the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue). She further emphasised how the U.S. wants to expand its “critically important partnership” with India, moving forward.
“So look, the president views our relationship, the United States’ relationship with India, as one of the most consequential in the world. And so we work closely with India on our most vital priorities, including through the Quad and the U.S.-India initiative on this critical and emerging technology,” Jean Pierre said.
