Senate confirms Tim Roemer as new US ambassador to India (Lead)

Washington, July 11

The US Senate has confirmed President Barack Obama's nomination of former House of Representatives member Tim Roemer as the new US ambassador to India.

Lawmakers approved Roemer's nomination Friday by unanimous consent, a parliamentary procedure that does not require a recorded vote. He is expected to leave for New Delhi immediately to be there in time for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's trip to India next week.

As the top US diplomat in India, Roemer, a strong advocate of Obama's foreign policy approach, will have his task cut out for him to further Clinton's vision to upgrade the India-US "strategic partnership" to a new level.

Roemer, who represented the South Bend area in Indiana in the US House from 1991 to 2003, endorsed Obama during his primary campaign and his endorsement helped Obama become the first Democrat to carry the midwestern state in 44 years.

Roemer, once seen as in the running to head the CIA, served on the blue-ribbon commission investigating the Sep 11, 2001 terror attacks on the US and on a key committee to prevent nuclear proliferation. The 52-year-old former lawmaker holds a doctorate degree in government and now heads the Centre for National Policy, a Washington think-tank.

Last updated on Jul 11^th, 2009 at 12:09 pm IST--IANS

Possibly related news:

Other News Headlines

Researchers construct erectile tissue in rabbits

Washington, Nov 21

The day is not far off when surgeons will be able to reconstruct or replace damaged or diseased penile tissue in humans and enable them to return to a normal life, says a new study.

Indian-American develops tool for efficient use of water

Washington, Nov 21

Greater accuracy in climate forecasts permits better estimates of how much rain is likely to fall, months in advance. An innovative water management method developed by an Indian-American scientist would rely on these forecasts to plan for droughts or excess rain in order to make efficient use of an area's water resources.

Dalai Lama hopes PM will raise Tibet issue in US (Lead)

New Delhi, Nov 21

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama Saturday described Manmohan Singh as a "clean politician" and said he was hopeful the prime minister would do whatever possible on the Tibetan issue when he meets US President Barack Obama next week.

23 dead, 90 trapped after China coal mine explosion

Beijing, Nov 21

A gas explosion at a coal mine in north-eastern China killed at least 23 workers, and trapped 90 early Saturday, media reports said.

Tibetan medicine popular among Chinese too: Dalai Lama

New Delhi, Nov 21

Tibetan medicine is sought after the world over now and even officials in Communist China are keen followers of the system of treatment, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said here Saturday.

Enter Your Name and Email below and Post your comment
Name	Email:
Comment:

Please login to use this service
Usermame :
Password :
Quick signup \| Forgot Password