Vinay Mohan Kwatra takes charge as India’s envoy to US as both sides look to ‘mend’ ties

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 13

After a gap of more than six months, India now has a regular ambassador in the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, a former Foreign Secretary, has taken over at Washington DC yesterday.

“Privileged to assume charge as the Ambassador of India to the United States of America. Team (at Indian Embassy) will continue to work intensely to strengthen this crucial partnership,” Kwatra posted on X on today.

Kwatra takes over at time when India-US relations are going through a ‘diplomatic trough’, since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia (July 8-9). The US and its allies have expressed “unhappiness” over Modi’s Moscow visit and asked India to use its long-standing relations to mediate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Kwatra takes over at a time when India-US are at the cusp of path-breaking technology deals – to name a few – on making engines for Indian-made fighter jets, space technology, artificial Intelligence and semi-conductors.

Around the time Kwatra was taking over in Washington DC, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre yesterday described the importance of Indo-US ties. “The President (Joe Biden) views our relationship as one of the most consequential in the world...”