Experts welcome Powell as envoy

Powell is acknowledged as an expert on the region,strategic affairs experts said

A day after Nancy J Powell was named the next US ambassador to India,strategic affairs experts have welcomed the move. Powell,who served in Kolkata and Delhi between 1992 and 1995,is acknowledged as an expert on the region,strategic affairs experts said here on Sunday.

Former foreign secretary Lalit Man Singh said,Since US President Barack Obama has just about one year to go,appointing a top-level career diplomat makes sense. The Congressional process can be completed smoothly. Lalit Man Singh,who has also been Indias envoy to the US,said,It is good to have a professional diplomat,who knows the region.

Powell was US ambassador in Pakistan (2002-2004) and Nepal (2007-2009),and has done previous tours of the region,including as political counselor at the US Embassy in Delhi (1993-1995),Consul General in Kolkata (1992-1993),and Deputy Chief of Mission in Dhaka (1995-1997). She served as the National Intelligence Officer for South Asia at the National Intelligence Council (2006-2007),giving her wide experience of the region.

Satish Chandra,who was envoy to the US,said,Powell was in then US ambassador Frank Wisners team. She is a very hard worker and has expertise on the neighbourhood. Since she is an expert in political affairs,Chandra said,this is an indication that issues arising out of the Afghanistan and Pakistan were weighing heavily on the minds of the US administration,while choosing her.

The view in Washington,Chandra said,is that to put focus on strategic ties with India,since the economic aspect is not heading smoothly.

Powell was nominated on Friday as the envoy to New Delhi,some six months after the previous incumbent Timothy Roemer,who was a political appointee,resigned in June after a two-year stint and returned to the US. Peter Burleigh,a non-career officer,was sent to officiate as the ambassador pending a full-time appointment.