US Ambassador
Timothy J. Roemer Announces His Leaving
Hyderabad|India|April'2011: U.S. Ambassador
to India Timothy J. Roemer has announced his
resignation from the post of Ambassador to the
Republic of India, to be effective at the pleasure
of the President. Ambassador Roemer is expected to
leave India in June.
Ambassador Roemer’s departure is for personal,
professional, and family considerations. “When I
accepted this job two years ago, I told President
Obama that I would serve for two years but that
family considerations would be front and center
after that,” said Ambassador Roemer. The
Ambassador noted that he has two sons who will be
leaving for college in the next 14 months and he
would like his parents and in-laws to be able to
spend more time with his children. He also stated
that he had accomplished all of the strategic
objectives set forth two years ago.
Ambassador Roemer said: “For me and for my entire
family, the past two years have been a time of
incredible experiences, warm friendships, and
meaningful partnerships. The U.S.-India
relationship -- what my friend President Obama
calls the defining partnership of the 21st century
– has progressed to the global stage. I am very
proud to have led the team responsible for
deepening and broadening the strategic partnership
of this critical bilateral relationship, which is
one of the cornerstones of our foreign policy.
The U.S. India relationship is on a positive
historic trajectory towards a global partnership
that is changing the way our two nations create
economic opportunity for our citizens, educating
the leaders of tomorrow, and ensuring safe and
secure communities. The horizons of our
relationship truly know no limits.
The relationship has been further strengthened by
the landmark 2009 visit and White House dinner
honoring PM Singh to the history making trip by
President Obama to India in 2010. President Obama
committed America’s support to India for a
permanent UN Security Council seat and removed
nine Indian companies from the entities list. We
have entered into a strategic dialogue on
Afghanistan and a new joint economic partnership
for capacity building.
I am proud to have worked with the Government of
India to sign the Counterterrorism Cooperation
Initiative providing groundbreaking joint US-India
work on mega-city policing, forensic lab training,
intelligence sharing, and sharing best
government-wide practices.
During my tenure as Ambassador, the U.S. - India
defense partnership has expanded exponentially.
The sale of C130J aircraft and the pending sale of
C-17s strengthen the strategic partnership between
our two countries, and demonstrate our enduring
commitment to sharing the world’s best technology
with India. Our defense partnership offers
economic benefits for both India and the United
States and significant job creation in both
countries.
Our joint commitment to conserve and protect the
resources of the planet as global partners is
evident in our joint efforts to identify and
highlight practical, affordable green
technologies. In years to come, U.S. and Indian
scientists will work collaboratively in new ways
to address water security, weather predictions,
renewable energy, and climate change challenges
because of partnerships created during the Obama
Administration. The Obama-Singh 21st Century
Knowledge Initiative provides more opportunities
for faculty exchanges, academic staff development,
and university partnerships.
Ultimately, the people-to-people ties are the
backbone of our partnership. As Ambassador, I had
the chance to travel with my family to all corners
of this incredible and beautiful country. Whether
I was playing basketball with Muslim girls in
Lucknow, seeing the majestic tiger in Ranthambore,
or observing the “aarti” on the banks of the
mighty Ganga in Varanasi, I personally viewed how
common values and common interests bind our two
great democracies together more strongly every
day.
As Gandhiji said, ‘a nation's culture resides in
the hearts and in the soul of its people.’ India
has opened the doors of its schools, communities,
and hearts to my family. We will leave with full
and grateful hearts for the many wonderful people
who have welcomed us. We came here as diplomats
and we leave feeling part of a family.”
April.2011
