What is the primary role of the U.S. Ambassador to India?

The U.S. Ambassador to India serves as the chief diplomatic representative of the United States in India. This role involves managing the relationship between the two countries and overseeing the operations of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.

Where is the U.S. Ambassador's office located?

The office of the U.S. Ambassador to India is situated at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.

Who is the current incumbent serving as Chargé d'affaires?

As of January 20, 2025, Jorgan K. Andrews is serving as the incumbent Chargé d'affaires.

Who appoints the U.S. Ambassador to India?

The U.S. Ambassador to India is appointed by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the United States Senate. This process ensures a check and balance in the appointment of high-level diplomatic officials.

Who was the inaugural holder of the U.S. diplomatic post in India, and what was their title?

The inaugural holder was George R. Merrell, who served as Chargé d'affaires ad interim. This indicates he was the acting head of the diplomatic mission before a formally appointed ambassador was in place.

When was the office of the U.S. Ambassador to India established?

The formation date for the position of U.S. Ambassador to India was November 1, 1946.

What is the official website for the U.S. Embassy in India?

The official website for the U.S. Embassy in India is in.usembassy.gov.

Who was the first American Consul appointed to Calcutta, and when?

Benjamin Joy was nominated by President George Washington on November 19, 1792, and commissioned as the first American Consul to Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) on November 21, 1792.

Who was the first U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Dominion of India?

Henry F. Grady was the first U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Dominion of India. He was appointed on April 10, 1947, and presented his credentials on July 1, 1947.

What was unique about Henry F. Grady's ambassadorship?

Henry F. Grady's ambassadorship included being accredited also to Nepal, while he was resident in New Delhi. This meant he represented U.S. interests in both countries simultaneously from a single location.

Who succeeded Henry F. Grady as Ambassador to the Dominion of India?

Loy W. Henderson succeeded Henry F. Grady. He was appointed on July 14, 1948, and presented his credentials on November 19, 1948.

What special circumstance surrounded Loy W. Henderson's appointment and recommissioning?

Loy W. Henderson was initially commissioned during a recess of the Senate and was later recommissioned after receiving confirmation on March 2, 1949. He was also re-accredited when India became a republic, presenting new credentials on February 24, 1950.

When did India officially become a republic, and how did this affect the U.S. Ambassador's accreditation?

India became a republic in 1950. Loy W. Henderson, the U.S. Ambassador at the time, had to present new credentials on February 24, 1950, to reflect the change in India's status from a Dominion to a Republic.

Who was the first U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of India?

Loy W. Henderson also served as the first U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of India, having been re-accredited after India's transition to a republic.

What was the duration of Loy W. Henderson's mission as Ambassador to the Republic of India?

Loy W. Henderson's mission as Ambassador to the Republic of India began with his re-accreditation on February 24, 1950, and terminated on September 21, 1951.

Who served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to India after Loy W. Henderson?

Chester Bowles served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary after Loy W. Henderson. His first term was from October 10, 1951, to March 23, 1953.

Did any ambassador serve multiple non-consecutive terms in India?

Yes, Chester Bowles served two non-consecutive terms as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to India. His first term was from 1951 to 1953, and his second term was from May 3, 1963, to April 21, 1969.

Which U.S. Ambassadors to India were also accredited to Nepal?

Several U.S. Ambassadors to India were also accredited to Nepal. These include Henry F. Grady, Loy W. Henderson, Chester Bowles (during his first term), and George V. Allen. They were all resident in New Delhi.

Who was the U.S. Ambassador to India during the Kennedy administration?

John Kenneth Galbraith served as the U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to India from March 29, 1961, to July 12, 1963, which overlapped with the Kennedy administration.

Who is noted as the first U.S. Ambassador to India of Indian origin?

Richard Verma holds the distinction of being the first U.S. Ambassador to India of Indian origin. He served from January 16, 2015, to January 20, 2017.

When did Kenneth Juster serve as the U.S. Ambassador to India?

Kenneth Juster served as the U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to India from November 23, 2017, to January 20, 2021.

Who served as Chargé d'affaires ad interim following the departure of Ambassador Richard Verma?

MaryKay Carlson served as the interim Chargé d'affaires from January 20, 2017, until November 15, 2017, following Ambassador Richard Verma's departure after President Trump's inauguration.

Who served as Chargé d'affaires ad interim after Ambassador Kenneth Juster's term ended?

Donald Heflin served as the interim Chargé d'affaires from January 20, 2021, to April 30, 2021. He was the Minister-Counselor for Consular Affairs.

How many individuals served as Chargé d'affaires ad interim between January 2021 and the appointment of Eric Garcetti?

Between January 20, 2021, and the appointment of Eric Garcetti in May 2023, there were several individuals who served as Chargé d'affaires ad interim: Donald Heflin, Daniel Bennett Smith, Atul Keshap, and Patricia A. Lacina, followed by A. Elizabeth Jones.

What was the process for Eric Garcetti's nomination and confirmation as Ambassador?

Eric Garcetti was initially nominated by Joe Biden in July 2021. When that nomination expired, Biden renominated him in 2023, and he was subsequently confirmed by the Senate, taking office on May 11, 2023.

What is the significance of the Seal of the United States Department of State and the Flag of a United States Ambassador shown in the infobox?

The Seal of the United States Department of State represents the executive department responsible for foreign relations, indicating the ambassador's affiliation. The Flag of a United States Ambassador is a symbol of the ambassador's official status and represents the United States abroad.

What does the title 'Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary' signify?

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary is the highest diplomatic rank. It signifies that the ambassador has full authority ('plenipotentiary') to represent their government and negotiate on its behalf, and is appointed for a specific, often important, mission ('extraordinary').

What is a Chargé d'affaires?

A Chargé d'affaires is a diplomat who heads a diplomatic mission in the absence of an ambassador. They may be the *ad interim* head, meaning they are temporarily in charge, or they may be the permanent head of a mission at the level of legation.

Who was confirmed as ambassador by the Senate on October 7, 2025?

Sergio Gor was confirmed as ambassador by the Senate on October 7, 2025, according to the provided text.

What is the purpose of the 'See also' section in the article?

The 'See also' section provides links to related articles that may offer further context or information on related topics, such as the Embassy of India in Washington D.C., India-United States relations, and lists of ambassadors from other countries.

What kind of information is typically found in the 'Sources' section?

The 'Sources' section lists the books, articles, and official documents that were used to compile the information in the article. It includes primary sources like memoirs and official government publications, as well as secondary sources like historical analyses.

What does the 'Wikimedia Commons has media related to...' section indicate?

This section indicates that Wikimedia Commons, a repository of free-use media files, contains images and other media files specifically related to the Ambassadors of the United States to India, providing visual resources.

What does the 'Notes' section clarify regarding Edgard Kagan?

The notes section clarifies that Edgard Kagan, who may have been a Deputy Chief of Mission, was appointed to the Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania at the U.S. National Security Council in January 2021.

Which ambassador served from February 4, 1955, to April 23, 1956?

John Sherman Cooper served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from February 4, 1955, to April 23, 1956.

Who was the U.S. Ambassador to India from November 22, 1988, to November 15, 1989?

John R. Hubbard served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from November 22, 1988, to November 15, 1989. His commission occurred during a recess of the Senate.

What is the significance of the 'Non-career appointee' status mentioned for some ambassadors?

The 'Non-career appointee' status indicates that the individual was not a career diplomat within the Foreign Service before their appointment as ambassador. Often, these individuals are chosen for political reasons or bring specific expertise from other fields.

What does the 'Foreign Service officer' status signify for an ambassador?

The 'Foreign Service officer' status indicates that the ambassador is a career diplomat who has worked within the U.S. Foreign Service. These individuals typically have extensive experience in diplomacy and international relations.

Who served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from December 12, 2003, to January 15, 2009?

David Campbell Mulford served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from December 12, 2003, to January 15, 2009.

Who held the position of Chargé d'affaires from January 15, 2009, to August 11, 2009?

Peter Burleigh served as Chargé d'affaires from January 15, 2009, to August 11, 2009.

When did Nancy Jo Powell serve as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary?

Nancy Jo Powell served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from April 19, 2012, to May 21, 2014.

Who served as Chargé d'affaires from May 22, 2014, to January 16, 2015?

Kathleen Stephens served as Chargé d'affaires from May 22, 2014, to January 16, 2015. She assumed this role after Nancy Jo Powell resigned.

What is the role of the U.S. Department of State in the appointment of ambassadors?

The U.S. Department of State is the primary government agency responsible for foreign affairs. It plays a key role in the nomination, confirmation, and operational support of U.S. ambassadors abroad.

What does the term 'Credentials presented' mean in the context of an ambassador's appointment?

The 'Credentials presented' date signifies when the ambassador formally presented their official credentials to the host country's head of state or government, officially commencing their duties in that country.

What does 'Termination of mission' refer to for an ambassador?

The 'Termination of mission' date indicates when the ambassador officially concluded their service in the host country, either by leaving their post or by being recalled.

Who was the U.S. Ambassador to India from July 2, 1992, to March 23, 1993?

Thomas R. Pickering served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from April 6, 1992, with credentials presented August 14, 1992, until March 23, 1993. Kenneth Brill served as Chargé d'affaires ad interim during part of this period.

Who served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from November 10, 1997, to April 25, 2001?

Richard Frank Celeste served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from November 10, 1997, with credentials presented November 28, 1997, until April 25, 2001.

What is the significance of the navboxes included in the article?

The navboxes provide navigational aids, linking to related lists of ambassadors to India from various countries, lists of U.S. ambassadors to other nations, and specific U.S. ambassadors to India, helping users explore related content easily.

What does the reference to 'Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary' imply about the ambassador's authority?

The title 'Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary' signifies the highest level of diplomatic representation, indicating the ambassador has full authority to represent the U.S. government and conduct official business with the host country.

Who was the U.S. Ambassador to India from March 15, 2023, to January 20, 2025?

Eric Garcetti served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary from March 15, 2023, with credentials presented May 11, 2023, until January 20, 2025.

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The Ambassadorial Role

Chief Diplomatic Representative

The Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of India serves as the principal diplomatic representative of the United States in India. This esteemed position is headquartered at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, acting as the primary conduit for bilateral relations between the two nations.

Appointment and Confirmation

The appointment of an ambassador is a significant process, initiated by the President of the United States. The nominated individual must then receive the advice and consent of the United States Senate before officially assuming their duties. This ensures a rigorous vetting process for such a critical diplomatic role.

Current Leadership

As of January 20, 2025, the role of Chargé d'affaires ad interim is held by Jorgan K. Andrews. This interim leadership ensures continuity in diplomatic operations while a permanent ambassadorial appointment is pending or in process.

Historical Context

Establishment of the Mission

The formal diplomatic mission between the United States and India commenced with the establishment of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. The office of the Ambassador to the Dominion of India was established on November 1, 1946, marking the beginning of formal diplomatic representation following India's independence.

Transition to Republic

Following India's transition to a republic on January 26, 1950, the diplomatic accreditation was re-issued. Loy W. Henderson, who had been serving as Ambassador to the Dominion of India, presented his new credentials on February 24, 1950, signifying the continuation and evolution of the U.S. diplomatic presence under the new republican framework.

Ambassadorial Tenure

A Chronicle of Service

The following table details the individuals who have served as the United States Ambassador or Chargé d'affaires ad interim to India, charting the course of diplomatic engagement since the establishment of the mission.

Name	Status	Title	Appointment	Credentials presented	Termination of mission	Notes
Henry F. Grady	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	April 10, 1947	July 1, 1947	Left post, June 22, 1948	Accredited also to Nepal; resident at New Delhi.
Loy W. Henderson	Foreign Service officer	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	July 14, 1948	November 19, 1948	Re-accredited when India became a republic; presented new credentials February 24, 1950	Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on March 2, 1949. Also accredited to Nepal; resident at New Delhi.
Loy W. Henderson	Foreign Service officer	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary		February 24, 1950	September 21, 1951	Reaccredited when India became a republic; presented new credentials Feb 24, 1950; left post Sep 21, 1951; commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Mar 2, 1949. Also accredited to Nepal; resident at New Delhi.
Chester Bowles	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	October 10, 1951	November 1, 1951	Left post, Mar 23, 1953	Also accredited to Nepal; resident at New Delhi.
George V. Allen	Foreign Service officer	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	March 11, 1953	May 4, 1953	Left post, November 30, 1954	Also accredited to Nepal; resident at New Delhi.
John Sherman Cooper	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	February 4, 1955	April 9, 1955	Left post, April 23, 1956	Also accredited to Nepal; resident at New Delhi.
Ellsworth Bunker	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	November 28, 1956	March 4, 1957	Left India, March 23, 1961	Also accredited to Nepal; resident at New Delhi. Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on January 25, 1957.
John Kenneth Galbraith	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	March 29, 1961	April 18, 1961	Left post, Jul 12, 1963
Chester Bowles	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	May 3, 1963	July 19, 1963	Left post, April 21, 1969
Kenneth B. Keating	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	May 1, 1969	July 2, 1969	Left post, July 26, 1972
Daniel P. Moynihan	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	February 8, 1973	February 28, 1973	Left post, January 7, 1975
William B. Saxbe	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	February 3, 1975	March 8, 1975	Left post, November 20, 1976
Robert F. Goheen	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	April 26, 1977	May 26, 1977	Left post, December 10, 1980
Harry G. Barnes Jr.	Foreign Service officer	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	October 1, 1981	November 17, 1981	Left post, June 27, 1985
John Gunther Dean	Foreign Service officer	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	August 2, 1985	September 6, 1985	Left post November 7, 1988
John R. Hubbard	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	November 22, 1988	December 27, 1988	Left post November 15, 1989	Commissioned during a recess of the Senate.
William Clark Jr.	Foreign Service officer	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	October 10, 1989	December 22, 1989	Left post, July 2, 1992
Thomas R. Pickering	Foreign Service officer	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	April 6, 1992	August 14, 1992	Left post, March 23, 1993	Kenneth Brill served as Chargé d'affaires ad interim, March 1993 – August 1994.
Frank G. Wisner	Foreign Service officer	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	June 9, 1994	August 2, 1994	Left post, July 12, 1997
Richard Frank Celeste	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	November 10, 1997	November 28, 1997	Left post April 25, 2001
Robert Blackwill	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	July 12, 2001	September 14, 2001	Left post July 31, 2003
David Campbell Mulford	Non-career officer	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	December 12, 2003	February 23, 2004	Left post January 15, 2009
Peter Burleigh	Foreign Service officer	Chargé d'affaires	January 15, 2009		August 11, 2009
Timothy J. Roemer	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	July 23, 2009	August 11, 2009	Left post June 30, 2011
Peter Burleigh	Foreign Service officer	Chargé d'affaires	July 1, 2011		April 19, 2012
Nancy Jo Powell	Foreign Service officer	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	February 7, 2012	April 19, 2012	May 21, 2014
Kathleen Stephens	Foreign Service officer (interim)	Chargé d'affaires	May 22, 2014	June 6, 2014	January 16, 2015	Assumed position after resignation of Nancy Jo Powell.
Richard Verma	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	December 12, 2014	January 16, 2015	January 20, 2017	First U.S. Ambassador to India of Indian origin.
MaryKay Carlson	Foreign Service officer (interim)	Chargé d'affaires	January 20, 2017		November 15, 2017	Assumed office after Ambassador Richard Verma demitted office following President Trump's inauguration on January 20.
Kenneth Juster	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	November 3, 2017	November 23, 2017	January 20, 2021
Donald Heflin	Foreign Service officer (interim)	Chargé d'affaires	January 20, 2021		April 30, 2021	Minister-Counselor for Consular Affairs.
Daniel Bennett Smith	Foreign Service officer (interim)	Chargé d'affaires	April 30, 2021		June 29, 2021
Atul Keshap	Foreign Service officer (interim)	Chargé d'affaires	June 29, 2021		September 9, 2021
Patricia A. Lacina	Foreign Service officer (interim)	Chargé d'affaires	September 9, 2021		October 24, 2022
A. Elizabeth Jones	Foreign Service officer (interim)	Chargé d'affaires	October 24, 2022		April 11, 2023
Eric Garcetti	Non-career appointee	Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary	March 15, 2023	May 11, 2023	January 20, 2025	In July 2021, Joe Biden nominated Garcetti. When the nomination expired in 2023, Biden once again nominated Garcetti.
Jorgan K. Andrews	Foreign Service officer (interim)	Chargé d'affaires	January 20, 2025		Incumbent

The Diplomatic Apparatus

Department of State

The U.S. Ambassador operates under the purview of the Department of State, the executive department responsible for foreign affairs. This department provides the framework, resources, and policy guidance for the ambassador's mission in India.

Embassy in New Delhi

The physical seat of the U.S. diplomatic mission in India is the Embassy of the United States in New Delhi. It serves as the central hub for diplomatic, consular, and administrative functions, facilitating communication and cooperation between the two governments.

Official Symbols

Key symbols associated with the ambassadorial office include the Seal of the United States Department of State and the distinct Flag of a United States Ambassador, representing the authority and representation of the U.S. government abroad.

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References

Deputy chief of mission Edgard Kagan was appointed Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania at the U.S. National Seucity Council in January 2021.

A full list of references for this article are available at the List of ambassadors of the United States to India Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional diplomatic or political advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding international relations, foreign policy, or diplomatic history. Always refer to official government sources and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs.

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The Diplomatic Nexus

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The Ambassadorial Role 🏛️

🇺🇸 Chief Diplomatic Representative

🤝 Appointment and Confirmation

🗓️ Current Leadership

Historical Context 📜

📅 Establishment of the Mission

🔄 Transition to Republic

Ambassadorial Tenure 🇺🇸🇮🇳

📜 A Chronicle of Service

The Diplomatic Apparatus 🏢

🇺🇸 Department of State

🏛️ Embassy in New Delhi

🚩 Official Symbols

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The Ambassadorial Role

Chief Diplomatic Representative

Appointment and Confirmation

Current Leadership

Historical Context

Establishment of the Mission

Transition to Republic

Ambassadorial Tenure

A Chronicle of Service

The Diplomatic Apparatus

Department of State

Embassy in New Delhi

Official Symbols

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice