By Arun Kumar, IANS
Washington : Former US ambassador to India Richard F. Celeste has been appointed senior advisor to the board of directors of the US-India Business Council (USIBC), a business lobby seeking to strengthen US-India commercial ties.
Announcing the appointment Monday, the body comprising 250 of the largest US companies investing in India and two dozen of India’s largest global companies, said the board represented the spectrum of industries that are helping power India’s impressive 9 percent annual growth rate.
Celeste said of his appointment, “It is my pleasure to advise USIBC’s Board of Directors in its work to enhance trade and commercial ties between the United States and India. Our two countries have much in common, with shared interests in science, technology, alternative energy and information security.
“USIBC’s important work is an investment in both countries, and an effort that can only serve to improve economic conditions for the people of both of our nations.”
Celeste who served as the US ambassador to India from 1997-2001 was said to be personally responsible for bringing then President Bill Clinton to India, the second visit by a US President to India since Dwight D. Eisenhower made the trip in 1959.
During his tenure as ambassador, Celeste played a significant role in furthering cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of science and technology.
USIBC chairman Charles “Chip” Kaye said the business lobby “is honoured to benefit from the deep experience of one of the finest US ambassadors to India who will be advising the US-India Business Council Board of Directors in matters of strategic importance.
“We welcome Ambassador Celeste’s advice and look forward to working closely with him in the months and years ahead.”
President of Colorado College since July 2002, Celeste has also served as the governor of Ohio for two terms and as director of the United States Peace Corps. He was a managing partner of Celeste and Sabety Ltd., an economic development consultancy.
Active in academia before arriving at Colorado College, he was a Rhodes Scholar and Yale graduate who has taught urban economics at John Carroll University and served as a visiting fellow in public policy at Case Western University.