Rossow joined Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) as the Wadhwani Chair in US-India Policy Studies replacing Karl F "Rick" Inderfurth.
He has served the last two years as head of South Asia practice at McLarty Associates and previously as director of operations at the US-India Business Council (USIBC).
"The US-India relationship is vital to both countries," said John Hamre, CSIS president and CEO.
"But right now the relationship is at a crossroads. We need to refocus on economics if we want this to become a truly strategic partnership for the twenty-first century," he said.
During his 10 years at USIBC, the world's leading advocacy group on behalf of strengthening economic ties between the United States and India, he managed the council's policy groups on energy, information technology, insurance, media and entertainment, and telecommunications. He spends an average of two months per year in India.
The Wadhwani Chair in US-India Policy Studies at CSIS is made possible by support of the Wadhwani Foundation, which is founded and led by CSIS trustee Dr Romesh Wadhwani.
"There is a significant and growing opportunity to develop focused programs for the benefit of both nations," he added.
"Richard Rossow brings real-world experience, creative ideas, and a positive, pragmatic approach to reaching top policymakers in both countries. We are delighted he will be building on the strong foundation that Rick Inderfurth leaves behind," Wadhwani said.
