Washington: The US Senate has confirmed Indian-American woman administrator Nisha Desai Biswal as the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, making her the first person from the community to hold the top diplomatic position.
Biswal, who is currently the Assistant Administrator for Asia at the US Agency for International Development (USAID), will replace incumbent Robert Blake to head the key bureau in the State Department.
President Barack Obama had nominated her for this top position on July 18.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee had held her confirmation hearing last month, during which she received bipartisan support and was praised by lawmakers from both the parties.
“I consider you another compelling argument for comprehensive immigration reform,” said Senator John McCain of the Republican Party.
