Washington, DC – Arun Kumar Singh, the new Indian envoy to the US, formally presented copies of his credentials on May 5 to the Office of Chief of Protocol at the State Department as the 24th Indian Ambassador to the US.
A State Department official confirmed to Indian American Times in a statement, “Ambassador Arun Kumar Singh presented copies of his credentials to the Department of State on Tuesday morning.” Singh will present his formal credentials before US President Barack Obama in a few weeks according to sources in the State Department.
Later on May 6, Ambassador Singh was welcomed by the US-India Business Council (USIBC) Chairman and President and CEO of MasterCard, Ajay Banga along with USIBC President, Mukesh Aghi as well as Council members representing top American and Indian businesses.
Speaking on the new Government for India and the actions that have been undertaken since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office, Ambassador Singh said, “Prime Minister Modi wants India to take its rightful place as a fast growing economy, tapping the potential of its huge young population. The Delhi Declaration of Friendship has been upgraded from a bilateral strategic dialogue to a strategic and commercial dialogue. Working groups such as the Trade Policy Forum, High Technology Cooperation, CEO Forum that had not met for several years have come together yet again over the past year laying the foundation for future joint activities.”
“A US-India infrastructure collaboration platform has been set up to promote deployment of cutting edge US technologies to meet India’s infrastructure needs in power, urbanization, shipping and trade transportation. An inter-ministerial committee has been set up to fast track investment proposals from U.S. companies and address implementation,” Singh said, adding, “Indian industries have increased investment in the US, creating jobs and generating incomes. Indian companies have invested close to $17 billion in the United States.”
Nancy Ziuzin Schlegel, Vice President of Lockheed Martin, pledged support for Ambassador Singh, saying: “Ambassador Singh has been an important partner and friend to US business. As we near the one year anniversary of the Modi Government, I think it is safe to say that we are looking forward to more growth, increased cooperation and closer ties.”
Wrapping up the event, Justin McCarthy, Senior VP for Global Policy and International Public Affairs at Pfizer said, “I’m encouraged by initiatives such as Make in India and the focus on innovation and research as important drivers of growth. Collaboration between the US and Indian governments and with the business communities holds great promise for the future.”
The USIBC event was also attended by Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Charge d’Affaires of Embassy of India; Arun M. Kumar, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the US and Foreign Commercial Service, US Department of Commerce and International Trade Administration; Timothy Roemer, former US Ambassador to India; and KT Rama Rao, Minister of Information Technology and Panchayat Raj, Government of Telangana, India.
Ambassador Arun K. Singh, till recently the Indian envoy to France, is a career foreign service officer of 1979 batch. Singh till two years ago served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington for four and half years from October 2008 to April 2013.