Richard Verma to be sworn-in as US Ambassador to India

Washington: US President Barack Obama with US Ambassador to India-designate Richard Rahul Verma at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Thursday. (Source: PTI )

Richard Rahul Verma will be sworn-in as US Ambassador to India on Saturday, becoming the first Indian-American to hold the post. Verma, 46, was confirmed by the US Senate by a voice vote last week. Secretary of State John Kerry would host the swearing in ceremony of Verma.

Verma is expected to head for New Delhi and present his credentials to resident Pranab Mukherjee, ahead of the visit of US President Barack Obama to India to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade on January 26. The US Embassy in New Delhi is currently headed by charge d’affaires Kathleen Stephens.

Verma’s association with Obama goes back to 2008, when he worked on presidential debate preparations for the then Illinois senator. His parents came to the US in the early 1960s.Verma will replace Nancy Powell.