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2014 (Dec 12) - HuffPost :
2014 (Dec 12) - HuffPost :
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/understanding-richard-ver_b_6312120
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Understanding Richard Verma's Swift Senate Confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to India
Verma's rapid confirmation is remarkable given the acute political paralysis currently afflicting the Senate's confirmation process, particularly for ambassadorial nominees.
By Ronak D. Desai, Contributor
I am an Affiliate the South Asia Institute at Harvard University.
Dec 12, 2014, 02:00 AM EST
|Updated Dec 6, 2017
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
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Earlier this week, the United States Senate confirmed Richard Rahul Verma to become the next U.S. Ambassador to India. President Obama nominated Verma in September, just days before Indian Prime Minister Modi's inaugural visit to the United States. The post had been vacant following Nancy Powell's retirement from the position in May. Verma made history by becoming the first Indian-American envoy to New Delhi. The swift speed at which his nomination proceeded through the confirmation process exemplifies the bipartisan support Verma and the U.S.-India strategic partnership enjoy in Washington.
Verma has spent more than two decades shaping U.S. foreign policy at the highest levels. His experience both inside and outside the government is exhaustive, and includes his time as an Assistant Secretary of State under Hillary Clinton, and as National Security Advisor, Counsel, and Foreign Policy Advisor to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). During his tenure in the Senate, Verma played a quiet but crucial role in securing passage of the landmark U.S.-India civilian nuclear deal. The historic accord is considered the centerpiece of the U.S.-India strategic partnership. Verma's nomination was met with virtually universal acclaim across the diplomatic, national security, business, and trade communities. The prospect of Verma becoming the first Indian-American ambassador to India also ignited fierce pride within the Indian diaspora in the United States.
This portended a smooth confirmation process for Verma. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) wasted little time scheduling a confirmation hearing for him on December 2 during the final days of the Congressional lame duck session. During the hearing, Verma provided keen insights about the multidimensional strategic partnership and President Obama's upcoming visit to India. He expertly fielded questions on a host of complex topics ranging from gender violence and intellectual property rights, to South Asian geopolitics and the unconsummated civilian nuclear deal. His performance garnered widespread praise from the Committee's members, who voted unanimously to send Verma's confirmation for a full Senate vote just two days after the hearing. One short week later, the United States Senate confirmed Verma by a voice vote, providing unanimous consent to his nomination.
Verma's rapid confirmation is remarkable given the acute political paralysis currently afflicting the Senate's confirmation process, particularly for ambassadorial nominees. Partisan bickering over changes to Senate filibuster rules has resulted in a huge backlog of dozens of would-be envoys waiting to be confirmed. By one estimate, the average wait time for nominees who have cleared the SFRC is 237 days. The Senate confirmed Verma in seven.
The swift speed at which the Senate did so reflects the deep -- and rare -- bipartisan support that both the strategic partnership and Verma enjoy in Washington. During Verma's confirmation hearing, virtually every Committee member spoke about the importance of strong U.S.-India ties, with Senator John McCain (R-AZ) asserting that Verma would be "assuming a post at a nation that may be the most important relationship" for the United States in the world. McCain's words are a potent reminder that bilateral ties are multifaceted, and touch upon virtually every field of human endeavor. From strengthening regional stability and the global economy, to promoting the rule of law and liberal values, robust ties with New Delhi are integral to fulfilling many American objectives abroad. The past decade has illustrated that a strong U.S.-India strategic partnership has become a key American foreign policy priority regardless of which party occupies the White House or controls Congress. Verma's atypically fast confirmation is an effective illustration of this salient fact.
It also reveals the profound respect Verma commands in Washington by both parties. During his confirmation hearing, Republican and Democratic senators hailed Verma as "a consensus builder," "uniquely suited" to become U.S. Ambassador to India, and someone with "excellent qualifications." References to his distinguished public service career and past record working across the aisle were also made. Several Senators voiced their support for Verma after the hearing, recognizing the depth and breadth of his experience. The praise echoed the approbation Verma received after the White House first announced his nomination in September.
Ultimately, a consensus emerged between the White House and the Senate that the diplomatic post to New Delhi was too important to remain unfulfilled and that Verma was the right person to fill it. They were indeed correct. With the US-India strategic partnership more important now than ever, the United States is fortunate to have Verma take the helm of the U.S. embassy in New Delhi.
SUNITA SOHRABJI, India-West Staff Reporter 4 hrs ago 0
Referenced in Richard Verma wikipedia pge, but Removed ?? since
2017-10-28-indiawest-com-global-indian-rich-verma-former-u-s-ambassador-to-india-joins-usispf-from-waybackmachine.pdf
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2017-10-28-indiawest-com-global-indian-rich-verma-former-u-s-ambassador-to-india-joins-usispf-from-waybackmachine-img-59f387d065c03.jpg
In this file photo, former U.S. Ambassador to India Richard ‘Rahul’ Verma (right) meets children enrolled at Sulabh School during a visit to Sulabh International Museum of Toilets in New Delhi on Aug. 13, 2015. The Indian American currently serves as vice chairman of The Asia Group. (Money Sharma/AFP/Getty Images)
Richard ‘Rahul’ Verma, who served as U.S. Ambassador to India during the Obama administration, has joined the board of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum, according to an announcement released by the organization Oct. 26.
Verma, the first Indian American ambassador to India, stepped down from his post in New Delhi Jan. 20 as incoming President Donald Trump ordered all politically-appointed ambassadors to leave their offices by Inauguration Day. He and his wife Pinky stayed on in India for a few months so that their children could finish out the school year (see India-West’s exit interview with Verma here).
Verma currently serves as vice chairman of The Asia Group, where he leads the firm’s growth in South Asia. He is also the Centennial Fellow at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and he co-chairs the Center for American Progress’ U.S.-India Task Force.
“On to new heights in US/India relations – forward together we go,” Verma tweeted Oct. 26, announcing his new role at USISPF.
In a press statement via the organization, Verma said: “While serving as ambassador to India, I saw first-hand the exciting work that U.S. companies are doing across India and in cooperation with domestic partners. The USISPF provides a critical platform to advance commercial ties, and I am delighted to join the board of this new leading organization.”
USISPF was formed from the departing leadership of the U.S.-India Business Council, which was established by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1975. After a public disagreement in July, USIBC leadership voted to split from the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber retaliated, saying the split was not valid, as it had established the organization, which has served a leadership role in promoting economic growth between India and the U.S.
Former USIBC chairman John Chambers announced the formation of USISPF Aug. 2. Indian American CEOs Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo, and Ajay Banga of Mastercard already serve on the new organization’s board.
Former USIBC chairman Mukesh Aghi, who now serves as president of USISPF, commended Verma for joining the board.
“Rich Verma is one of the most profoundly influential individuals for U.S.-India relations, and we could not be more honored and excited to welcome him to the USISPF Board, a powerful group that will undoubtedly make serious strides in partnership and trade growth between the United States and India,” said Aghi in a press statement.
The USISPF has defined its mission as promoting trade between the two countries, along with job creation, support for start-ups, innovation, and education.
https://www.gatewayhouse.in/history-at-delhi/
Rice, Kissinger and history revisited
Dr Condoleezza Rice and Dr Henry Kissinger, speakers at the annual meeting of the U.S-India Strategic Partnership Forum, in Delhi in October 2019, kept the audience riveted. The topics covered included China as competitor, the earlier disharmony in India-U.S. relations, and tips from a veteran on the art of negotiation
Delhi’s business elite, strategic community and media corps, are usually blasé about the presence of celebrities in their midst. But the second annual meeting of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum at the ITC Maurya (on October 21) saw a record turnout, with two speakers, in particular, commanding attention: Dr. Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. secretary of state (2005-2009), and Dr. Henry Kissinger, 96, 66th secretary of state (1973-1977) and the National Security Advisor (NSA) from 1969 to 1975.
Dr Rice, the first African American woman to be secretary of state, who also served as NSA, spoke on the international situation, like the insider and respected academic that she is, to Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Purna Saggurti.
Rice, a specialist on Russian affairs, was “disappointed” by Russia’s disruptive activities in East Europe, Syria and elsewhere, and interference in the U.S. elections. It had created instability, backed by military power and cyber capability. It was “a 19th century-economy”, whereas it needed to become a progressive, knowledge-based one.
As for China, the U.S. and the world had to cooperate in some areas (e.g. environment, energy and economic governance) and challenge it in others, such as the South China Sea issue. China should not be allowed “to outrun the U.S.” in frontier technologies and military modernisation.
When asked to comment on Lee Kuan Yew’s famous comment, ‘China has order, but no law; and India has law, but no order’, Rice said it was important to have law and democracy; with their help order could be built.
Rice, while noting that India-U.S. relations were better than before, acknowledged President George W. Bush’s immense contribution in this when he had said to her, “We have to do something about our relations with India.” Rice emphasised that the U.S.-India nuclear deal of 2008 was not just about nuclear energy; it paved the way for deeper collaboration in high technology, defence and economy.
What was her advice to Indian and American negotiators currently engaged in efforts to resolve bilateral trade issues? “Get a deal!” was her deadpan retort.
The afternoon session of the conference had an even bigger star. Dr Kissinger, 96, arrived in a wheelchair. Known for his diplomatic acumen and controversial role in several international crises (including Vietnam, Cambodia, Chile and Bangladesh), Kissinger shared the 1973 Nobel Peace prize with Le Duc Tho, North Vietnamese politician and diplomat (who had declined it).
In a fascinating conversation with John Chambers, head of the host institution, and Chairman (Emeritus), Cisco, Kissinger, when asked to explain his approach to negotiation, said he first studied the adversary’s needs and motivations well before proceeding to expound his concept of a mutually beneficial agreement.
He recalled his secret visit to Beijing in July 1971 when he had 48 hours in which to negotiate an agreement with Premier Zhou Enlai. Candid discussions helped build mutual trust, leading to the normalisation of U.S.-China relations, which changed the course of the Cold War.
With President Richard Nixon in the White House and Kissinger as his chief counsellor, India-U.S. relations reached a nadir as Washington displayed a blatantly adversarial attitude towards India. The U.S. Seventh Fleet was ordered to move to the Bay of Bengal in a veiled threat, and the Indian people and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi were reviled by the two worthies. Yet, India – with valuable support from the Soviet Union – prevailed over the powerful combine of the U.S., China and Pakistan, with Bangladesh emerging as an independent nation in December 1971.
At the Delhi forum, Kissinger conceded that the U.S. and India were pushed to “the edge of confrontation”, noting that they had come through the Bangladesh crisis “from the opposite point of view” but shared the conviction that the two could develop “a parallel approach”. Now, decades later, the two had crafted a consensus on key areas of security and the economy. Speaking last July at the same forum in Washington, Kissinger had noted that the two nations had “complementary interests”. “The beauty is that we don’t need to make an alignment because it is already there,” he added.
The standing ovation Kissinger received in Delhi on October 21 and the warm meeting he had with Prime Minister Narendra Modi indicated that India-U.S. relations are now in a new era in which past scars may have been forgiven, but not forgotten.
Rajiv Bhatia is Distinguished Fellow, Foreign Policy Studies Programme, Gateway House and a former ambassador.
This blog was exclusively written for Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations. You can read more exclusive content here.
https://usispf.org/2019-year-in-review/
Richard Verma ... "usispf"
Reporter, SUNITA SOHRABJI, India-West Staff. "Rich Verma, Former U.S. Ambassador to India, Joins USISPF Board". India West. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
Board of Directors
https://usispf.org/board-of-directors/ambassador-richard-verma/
https://usispf.org/past-event/luncheon-dialogue-with-ambassador-richard-verma/
November 20, 2025 | New Delhi
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Luncheon Dialogue with Ambassador Richard Verma
USISPF hosted a closed-door luncheon featuring Board Member Ambassador Richard Verma, Former U.S. Ambassador to India and Chief Administrative Officer at Mastercard. Ambassador Verma, a key figure in advancing the U.S.–India partnership during his tenure in New Delhi and at the U.S. Department of State, engaged Advisors to the Board and senior representatives from select member companies. The session included a candid exchange on the current state of bilateral ties and opportunities to further deepen commercial cooperation.
podesta and verma
https://usispf.org/past-event/usispf-was-delighted-to-host-mr-richard-verma/
August 23, 2024 | New Delhi
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USISPF was delighted to host Mr. Richard Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, John Podesta, and U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcettiin New Delhi.
Conversations on India’s investment landscape and deepening the US-India clean energy and climate finance partnership. Grateful to Board Members Vishal Mahadevia of Warburg Pincus LLC, Sumant Sinha, and US India Tax Forum Chairman, Tarun Bajaj for their insights and all our India Leadership Board members who participated.
FIUNDED BY FRANK WISNER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq3xMvNxHhk
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_G._Wisner
United States Ambassador to India
In office
June 9, 1994 – July 12, 1997
Jesus… the USISPF was founded by … Frank Wisner
His Dad was Frank Wisner Sr, a founding member of the CIA
Oct 31 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEOOod1BeMk
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LIVE: USISPF Leadership Summit 2025 | 8th U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum
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212 views Streamed live on Jun 2, 2025 #usa #usindiapartnership #leadershipsummit
Watch LIVE as top leaders from the U.S. and India gather for the 8th USISPF Leadership Summit 2025. The event highlights key discussions on economic growth, defense ties, tech collaboration, and strategic partnership goals for the future.
2023 summit
in DC
PM Modi Gets A Standing Ovation While Addressing US-India Strategic Partnership Forum
moneycontrol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jPMHeKCqto
6,229 views Jun 24, 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gets a standing ovation during his address to the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) at the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC. While addressing the American & Indian business tycoons, PM Modi asserted that India-US ties and technology deals between them have the potential to change this century's destiny. His message was loud and clear - "This is the moment for India & US". Watch for more.
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