No secret behind ambassador Powell’s quitting: US
01 Apr 2014
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The United States has rebutted all speculation that the resignation of its ambassador to India Nancy J Powell had anything to do with the perceived souring of diplomatic relations between the two countries in recent months.
Powell on Monday announced her resignation and said that she will return to the US soon.
The US embassy website had posted on Monday night that Powell had "submitted her resignation to President Barack Obama and, as planned for some time, will retire to her home in Delaware before the end of May".
US state department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf rebutted all media reports that the resignation had anything to do with the Devyani Khobragade affair, where the Indian diplomat was arrested in New York for alleged visa fraud, raising Indian hackles.
"There is no big behind the scene story here," said Harf. "I want to dispel any rumours out there that this is related in any way to anything besides her long-planned retirement."
Asked about the timing of her resignation - just days before the beginning of the nine-phase Lok Sabha election in India - Harf insisted, "There is no big secret to timing here. All the rumours and speculations are quite frankly totally false."
But according to the Hindustan Times, Powell's move was imminent as the ambassador had been privately criticised by both US and Indian officials for failing to pre-empt the Khobragade affair and failing to be more pro-active on lifting the visa ban on Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi.
Powell was appointed to India in April 2012, becoming the first woman US ambassador to India.
Reports insist that Powell had differences with the Obama administration, and was feeling huge pressure after the Khobragade incident.
"Ambassador Powell expressed her appreciation for the professionalism and dedication of the US mission to India team who have worked to expand the parameters of the US-India bilateral relationship. She also thanked those throughout India who have extended traditional warm Indian hospitality to her and who have supported stronger bilateral ties," the US statement added.
Powell on Monday announced her resignation and said that she will return to the US soon.The US embassy website had posted on Monday night that Powell had "submitted her resignation to President Barack Obama and, as planned for some time, will retire to her home in Delaware before the end of May".
US state department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf rebutted all media reports that the resignation had anything to do with the Devyani Khobragade affair, where the Indian diplomat was arrested in New York for alleged visa fraud, raising Indian hackles.
"There is no big behind the scene story here," said Harf. "I want to dispel any rumours out there that this is related in any way to anything besides her long-planned retirement."
Asked about the timing of her resignation - just days before the beginning of the nine-phase Lok Sabha election in India - Harf insisted, "There is no big secret to timing here. All the rumours and speculations are quite frankly totally false."
But according to the Hindustan Times, Powell's move was imminent as the ambassador had been privately criticised by both US and Indian officials for failing to pre-empt the Khobragade affair and failing to be more pro-active on lifting the visa ban on Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi.
Powell was appointed to India in April 2012, becoming the first woman US ambassador to India.
Reports insist that Powell had differences with the Obama administration, and was feeling huge pressure after the Khobragade incident.
"Ambassador Powell expressed her appreciation for the professionalism and dedication of the US mission to India team who have worked to expand the parameters of the US-India bilateral relationship. She also thanked those throughout India who have extended traditional warm Indian hospitality to her and who have supported stronger bilateral ties," the US statement added.
