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Burleigh is U.S. interim envoy

Special Correspondent

He replaces Mulford, who was ambassador for
five years
Burleigh has served in Kolkata; is fluent in Bengali and Hindi

NEW DELHI: Peter Burleigh on Monday assumed charge as the interim envoy of the United States.

A veteran diplomat with substantial experience of working in South Asia, including India, Mr. Burleigh will remain the charge d’affaires till a permanent Ambassador is named. He replaces David Mulford, who served as Ambassador for five years.

With the change of government in the U.S., Mr. Mulford has since joined the private sector after being asked to stay on for some time as Ambassador by the Obama administration.

Continuity in ties

“Ambassador Burleigh’s interim appointment reflects the U.S. government’s emphasis on assuring highest-level representation and continuity in the U.S.-Indian relations. His substantial diplomatic experience and many years in South Asia will provide leadership to the U.S. mission in India and continue to nurture the important bilateral relationship until a permanent Ambassador is named in the months ahead,” a U.S. embassy statement said.

The embassy here is the largest American diplomatic outpost in the world, according to U.S. diplomats.

Experience

Mr. Burleigh, 67, had served in the U.S. consulate in Kolkata in the 1970s and is fluent in Bengali, Hindi, Nepali and Sinhalese.

In his 33 years of foreign service, he was the U.S. Deputy Representative at the United Nations and the American Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. He retired in 2000.

Mr. Burleigh has also served in Nepal, Bahrain and Sri Lanka.

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