Kathleen Stephens is interim US charge d'affaires

US diplomat Kathleen Stephens has taken over as interim charge d'affaires of the US embassy here.

"Ambassador Kathleen Stephens has arrived at the US Embassy in New Delhi to begin her tenure as the United States charge d'affaires ad interim to India," said a US embassy statement Friday.

Stephens, former US ambassador to South Korea, will lead the US mission's work in continuing to advance the US-India strategic partnership, and looks forward to working closely with the new Indian government, said the statement.

Stephens said, "I am excited to continue our joint efforts to strengthen and broaden the US-India partnership."

She said she looks forward to working with Indian partners in various fields, including to boost trade and investment, enhance regional security and economic integration, expand cooperation in energy, science, technology, and health, continue support of the successful transitions in Afghanistan, expand counter-terrorism and law enforcement cooperation, and further develop people-to-people ties.

"There is tremendous potential still to be realized in the US-India partnership, and I look forward to making the most of my time in India."

Kathleen, who arrived in the national capital Thursday night, took charge after former US envoy Nancy Powell left India last month.

She will head the US mission until a new permanent ambassador is chosen.