The U.S. State Department announced the appointment of Atul Keshap, a senior foreign service officer with years of experience in South Asia, as Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) ad interim, in New Delhi, to replace Daniel Smith, who is retiring. He also served as Deputy Assistance Secretary for South Asia and was posted previously to the American Embassy in New Delhi. “Keshap eminently qualified but what is the deal with the Garcetti ambassadorial appointment to India?” tweeted Paul Staniland, a University of Chicago political scientist specialising in South Asia. “Ambassador Smith’s appointment was temporary, consistent with the common Department practice of appointing Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim. The Hindu has reached out to the White House for comment on the nomination of an Ambassador to India.

Source: The Hindu June 29, 2021 13:52 UTC