US President Barack Obama on Friday announced his intent to nominate Atul Keshap to the post of Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Mr Keshap will take over the role previously held by Michelle Sison, who is now the deputy representative of the United States to the UN and the UN Security Council, and the representative of the US at the UN General Assembly.
The president’s nominee currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the Department of State, a position he has held since 2013, according to the White House.
While announcing the nominations of several positions, Mr Obama said, "I am honored that these talented individuals have decided to serve our country. They bring their years of experience and expertise to this Administration, and I look forward to working with them".
Mr. Keshap was Director for United Nations Human Rights in the Bureau of International Organisation Affairs from 2008 to 2010 and Deputy Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India from 2005 to 2008.
He also served as the Director for India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, from 2010 to 2012.
Ambassador Sison confirmed for top UN posts (22 November 2014)