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Shah’s nomination as USAID chief approved

Rajiv Shah

Washington: The U.S. Senate has approved the nomination of Rajiv Shah to head the US Agency for International Development (USAID), making him the highest ranking Indian-American in the administration. the Senate on Thursday unanimously confirmed the nomination, along with nearly three dozen nominations of the Obama Administration.

Mr. Shah (36) is the highest ranking Indian American of the Obama Administration.

The confirmation has put Mr. Shah in charge of the $20-billion aid agency, which is poised to play a key role in the new foreign policy of the Obama Administration which has made development a key tool.

Mr. Shah would report to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He was the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics and Chief Scientist at the Department of Agriculture before being tapped by Mr. Obama .

“Rajiv brings fresh ideas and the dedication and impressive background necessary to help guide USAID as it works to achieve this important goal,” said Mr. Obama .

Mr. Shah manages the Agricultural Research Service, the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistical Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the US Department of Agriculture. — PTI

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