In a clear American recognition that a BJP-led Government headed by Narendra Modi may well be voted to power in the upcoming general elections, US Ambassador to India Nancy J Powell has submitted her resignation to President Barack Obama.
Powell herself made the surprise announcement in a US mission Town Hall meeting on Monday in what is regarded as a highly unusual move just as the country prepares for the polls. In the announcement posted on the US Embassy website, the 67-year-old Powell said she had been planning to put in her papers for some time. She made no reference to the reasons that have prompted her to step down.
Powell said she was ending a 37-year diplomatic career and would retire to her home in Delaware before the end of May. News of her resignation also comes in the wake of an unprecedented diplomatic spat between the two countries following the humiliating arrest and strip-search of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in New York City last December.
Powell’s impending departure is being widely seen as a move by the Obama administration to prepare the ground for a congenial and relatively hassle-free diplomatic engagement with the next government in New Delhi. Although the US denial of a visa to Modi in 2005 over the Gujarat riots predates Powell’s assumption as US envoy to New Delhi, diplomatic watchers have spoken of her failure to reach out to the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate until as late as last month when she met him in his office in Gandhinagar.
In her announcement, Powell thanked people “throughout India who have extended traditional warm Indian hospitality to her and who have supported stronger bilateral ties”. She also commended team members of the US mission for having worked to expand the parameters of the US-India bilateral relationship.
Before taking over as envoy to India in April 2012, Powell had served as US Ambassador to several countries including Pakistan, Nepal, Uganda and Ghana. She had also served in Bangladesh, Canada and Togo. She was Director General of Foreign Service in Washington before President Obama chose her for the New Delhi assignment.