Ambassador Daniel Smith, the former US acting Secretary of State, has been appointed as Charge d’Affaires at United States embassy in New Delhi.
Ambassador Smith’s appointment “underscores the United States’ strong commitment to our partnership with the Government of India and the Indian people,” the State Department said in a statement.
“Ambassador Daniel Smith, the Director of the Foreign Service Institute who recently served as acting Secretary of State and Acting Deputy Secretary of State, will be departing for New Delhi to serve as Charge d’Affaires, ad interim. Ambassador Smith carries the highest Foreign Service rank of Career Ambassador,” it added.
The department further added that Smith will spearhead close cooperation with India to ensure that our countries continue to advance our shared priorities, including overcoming the global pandemic.
“The United States stands in solidarity with India, and Ambassador Smith is committed to working together with India in partnership,” the statement read.
Smith was Acting Secretary of State for a few days after the Donald Trump administration’s Mike Pompeo demitted office and before Antony Blinken was sworn-in Secretary of State.