US envoy Nancy Powell announces resignation, to retire

US Ambassador to India Nancy J. Powell Monday announced that she is resigning and will retire from service.

In an announcement during a US Mission Town Hall meeting, Powell said that she has submitted her resignation to President Barack Obama "and, as planned for some time, will retire to her home in Delaware before the end of May".

"She is ending a 37-year career that has included postings as US Ambassador to Uganda, Ghana, Pakistan, Nepal and India as well as service in Canada, Togo, Bangladesh, and Washington, where she was most recently Director General of the Foreign Service," said a US embassy press statement.

Powell expressed her appreciation for the "professionalism and dedication of the US Mission to India team who have worked to expand the parameters of the US-India bilateral relationship. She also thanked those throughout India who have extended traditional warm Indian hospitality to her and who have supported stronger bilateral ties," the statement said.