Biden nominates Indian American to key State Department position

US President-elect Joe Biden on Saturday minated an Indian American diplomat, who h quit foreign service in 2018 in protest against policies of President Donald Trump, to a key State Department position. Uzra Zeya has been minated to be Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, according to key minations for Department of State anunced by Biden.

Wendy R. Sherman has been minated to be Deputy Secretary of State, Brian McKeon as Deputy Secretary for Manment and Resources, Bonnie Jenkins to be Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs and Victoria Nuland to be Under Secretary for Political Affairs.

“This diverse and accomplished team, led by Secretary of State-designate Tony Blinken, embodies my core belief that America is strongest when it works with our allies," Biden said.

"Collectively, y have secured some of most defining national security and diplomatic achievements in recent memory — and I am confident that y will use ir diplomatic experience and skill to restore America’s global and moral leership. America is back,” he said.

Uzra Zeya served most recently as CEO and President of Alliance for Peacebuilding, where she drew on over two deces of diplomatic experience in Near East, South Asian, European, human rights, and multilateral affairs. As Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission at U.S. Embassy in Paris from 2014 to 2017, she oversaw day-to-day operations of Embassy, six constituent posts, and 50 offices and ncies engd in U.S. government work. She quit against Trump’s policies in September 2018.

“Up to w, Foggy Bottom’s upper echelons are looking whiter, more male and less like America,” Zeya wrote in Politico in September 2018 alleging that State Department under Trump ministration was facing racial and bias. “In my own case, I hit buzz saw that Team Trump wielded against career professionals after leing US Embassy in Paris through three major terrorist attacks over three years and after planning President Trump’s Bastille Day visit,” she wrote.

She said that upon returning to Washington, she was blocked from a series of senior-level jobs with explanation. "In two separate incidents, however, colleagues told me that a senior State official opposed candidates for leership positions — myself and an African-American female officer on basis that we would t pass 'Breitbart test',” she wrote in Politico.

From 2012 to 2014, Zeya served as Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour. She joined Foreign Service in 1990, serving in New Delhi, Muscat, Damascus, Cairo, and Kingston. From 2011 to 2012, she was Chief of Staff to Deputy Secretary of State and helped shape U.S. response to Arab Spring and worked to deepen U.S. engment with emerging powers.

Zeya has also served as Deputy Executive Secretary to Secretary of State, Director of Executive Secretariat Staff, and as UN General Assembly Coordinator. She is a recipient of Légion d’honneur, France’s highest civilian hour, a Presidential Rank Award, and 15 Superior Hour and Senior Performance Awards. She is a gruate of Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

On key State Department minations anunced by Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris said, “This remarkable team of distinguished diplomats and seasoned leers reflects very best of our nation”. Secretary of State-designate Tony Blinken said, “To meet this moment, we need a Department of State that looks like America, led by diverse women and men who will be unafraid to challenge status quo.

"That is this team. America at its best still has a greater capacity than any or country on earth to mobilize ors to meet challenges of our time. se passionate, energetic, deeply experienced minees will help keep our people and our country safe, secure, and prosperous”. 

(Im Credits: AP)