NRI Mitul Desai appointed as senior advisor in State Department to expand ties with NRIs
Washington, July 31, 2011
NRI Mitul Desai has been appointed as Senior Advisor in the US State Department's South and Central Asia Bureau to make strong ties with NRI group in USA
Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake said:
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Indian American to lead US efforts to expand ties with diaspora
Washington, July 31, 2011 Mitul Desai, an Indian American international finance and law expert, has been brought in to State Department's South Asia bureau to lead its efforts to expand "partnerships and engagement with the private sector and diaspora groups" in the US.
Announcing the appointment of Desai at an India Donor Roundtable here last week, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Robert Blake said "The US-India relationship has never been stronger," thanks to the "important role" that the Indian community has "played in creating and strengthening these ties."
"Indeed I have made it a priority for the South and Central Asia Bureau to expand our partnerships and engagement with the private sector and diaspora groups here in the US," he said.
Desai, who has been named Senior Advisor for Outreach, comes from a private sector career in international finance and law, where he worked on many issues, including global health, Blake noted.
"He also has extensive experience working with diaspora communities. I know he is very excited to work with you in his new capacity," he said.
Desai received his BA in Chemistry and Philosophy at Rudgers University and his JD from the Boston University School of Law. He was born in Kankakee, Illinois, and lived in South Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania before moving to Succasunna, New Jersey, where he spent most of his childhood.
His parents, Indirajit and Surekha Desai who hail from Gujarat, came to the US in the 1960s, when they were both in their early 20s. He has a younger brother, Amit. .......................IANS/NRIpress.com
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About the Author:
Mitul Desai serves as Senior Advisor for Outreach for South and Central Asian Affairs.
As the first-ever Senior Advisor for Outreach in the State Department's Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, I am responsible for building partnerships with South and Central Asia-focused non-governmental entities, such as businesses, non-profits, civil society organizations, and Diaspora groups. Secretary Clinton and my boss -- Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake -- deeply believe that we can strengthen our relations with South and Central Asia by leveraging the multiple resources that outside partners bring to the table. And by creating positions like mine, this vision is being put into action.
Although I come from the private sector, serving my country has been a lifelong dream. Serving in a role that lets me utilize my diverse background makes it that much more special. Before joining government, I specialized in health care, finance, and law. I worked at global law firms, a multinational corporation, an international investment bank, and a nonprofit. Because I was always drawn to public service, I spent much of my free time on public policy issues, particularly those impacting South Asia and South Asian Americans. I hope to use my background to reach out to a broad range of potential partners.
Since the State Department's work touches on virtually every important global issue today, the number of projects and relationships we can build together is limited only by our creativity. We mean it when we say the State Department's door is open for any individual or organization who has an interest in South or Central Asia and a good idea. Because as Secretary Clinton herself said, “in the Obama Administration, we seek collaboration whenever possible.”
All Americans have a special role to play in helping realize Secretary Clinton's vision for 21st Century diplomacy. So I look forward to hearing from you and to finding that unique role for you. There's lots to be done, so let's get to work!
