U.S. Ambassador to India Nancy Powell’s resignation is not related to any tension or any recent situation, the Obama administration asserted on Tuesday refuting all such media reports in this regard.
“It is in no way related to any tension, any recent situations. There’s no big behind-the-scenes-story here,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters when asked about Ms. Powell’s announcement in New Delhi that she has sent her resignation to U.S. President Barack Obama.
“She announced on Monday night that she has submitted her resignation to President Obama, as has been planned for some time, and she will retire to her home in Delaware before the end of May,” Ms. Harf said.
“This is the end of a distinguished 37-year career — that has included postings as U.S. ambassador to Uganda, Ghana, Pakistan, Nepal and India, as well as service in a number of other locations. She deserves to retire. But I want to dispel any rumours out there that this is related in any way to anything besides her long-planned retirement,” Ms. Harf said. When asked if Powell’s resignation reflected any “realignment of diplomatic relations between India and the U.S. seven days before the elections”, Ms. Harf said there’s “no big secret” to timing here.
“All the rumours and speculation are, quite frankly, totally false. She is retiring, after 37 years — returning home to Delaware by the end of May. I don’t have further insight into why she chose now, but it’s not at all related to anything happening in the relationship. It doesn’t indicate any realignment of the relationship,” she said. “This is an incredibly key partnership that will continue under our team there and under whoever is named the next ambassador,” Ms. Harf said.
Ms. Powell announced in a U.S. Mission Town Hall meeting in New Delhi on Monday night that she has submitted her resignation to President Barack Obama. No decision has been made about Ms. Powell’s replacement.
“Let me see exactly when she’s heading back and who will be stepping in to fill in her shoes. Obviously, the relationship between the U.S. and India isn’t about one person — while incredibly important, it’s about the whole host of officials that engage, from Secretary (of State, John) Kerry and others at the White House and here on down,” she said.
“So the relationship is much broader than our ambassador, although she is wonderful and amazing, and, again, I think deserves a retirement after 37 years,” Ms. Harf said.
