Mr Keshap served as the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for the bureau of East Asian and Pacific affairs in the state department, and as the US envoy to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. He has also been known for in advancing the US agenda for the Indo-Pacific
Indian American Atul Keshap appointed as Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) ad interim, in New Delhi. He will replace Daniel Smith, who is retiring soon.
With years of experience in South Asia, Mr Keshap is a senior Foreign Service Officer (FSO) of the United States.
In his recent postings as a Foreign Service Officer, Mr Keshap served as the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for the bureau of East Asian and Pacific affairs in the state department, and as the US envoy to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. He has also been known for in advancing the US agenda for the Indo-Pacific.
The appointment of Mr Keshap is following after his predecessor Daniel Smith’s (a former deputy secretary of state) retirement. Mr Smith was appointed the Chargé D’affaires in New Delhi in May when India was in the peak of Covid-19 pandemic
In a statement a State Department spokesperson said, “Ambassador Keshap will bring a wealth of experience to the role, having served previously at US embassy in New Delhi and as deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia.”
The appointment of Mr Keshap is following after his predecessor Daniel Smith’s (a former deputy secretary of state) retirement. Mr Smith was appointed the Chargé D’affaires in New Delhi in May when India was in the peak of Covid-19 pandemic.
“We thank Ambassador Smith for his extraordinary service, particularly for his leadership during an extremely challenging time in the Covid-19 pandemic, and his important contributions to the US-India partnership,” State Department spokesperson said.