3 min readNew DelhiApr 29, 2011 12:40 AM IST
First published on: Apr 29, 2011 at 12:40 AM IST
Although US Ambassador Timothy J Roemer announced his decision to quit today,sources said he had conveyed this to South Block about three weeks ago long before New Delhi communicated its decision to reject bids from US companies for the 10-billion fighter aircraft deal.
That Roemers exit coincides with US President Barack Obamas announcement of his re-election bid,sources said,is an indication of the Ambassadors future plans. He could be a member of the Obama campaign team,sources said.
As a six-term Democrat in the US House of Representatives from 1991 to 2003 representing the 3rd District of Indiana,sources said his heart is in US politics and he wants to play a bigger role there.
When I accepted this job two years ago,I told President Obama that I would serve for two years but that family considerations would be front and centre after that, said Roemer.
He said his two sons would be leaving for college in the next 14 months and he would like his parents and in-laws to be able to spend more time with his children. He said he had accomplished all of the strategic objectives set forth two years ago.
Roemer who wrote a blog called the Roaming Roemer travelled across the country as a politician-diplomat meeting and connecting with people as if they were his voters.
For me and for my entire family,the past two years have been a time of incredible experiences,warm friendships,and meaningful partnerships… I had the chance to travel with my family to all corners of this incredible and beautiful country. Whether I was playing basketball with Muslim girls in Lucknow,seeing the majestic tiger in Ranthambore,or observing the aarti on the banks of the mighty Ganga in Varanasi,I personally viewed how common values and common interests bind our two great democracies together more strongly every day, he said today.
The US-India relationship what my friend President Obama calls the defining partnership of the 21st century has progressed to the global stage…the U.S. India relationship is on a positive historic trajectory towards a global partnership that is changing the way our two nations create economic opportunity for our citizens,educating the leaders of tomorrow,and ensuring safe and secure communities. The horizons of our relationship truly know no limits, he said.
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