January 17, 2021
2 mins read

Indian-American Uzra Zeya named Under Secy at State Dept

Zeya, who has more than two decades of experience with the Department of State and has expertise in Near East, South Asian, Europe, human rights and multilateral affairs, was nominated on January 16…reports Asian Lite News

US President-elect Joe Biden has named Uzra Zeya, an Indian-American diplomat who quit her State Department job in protest against the outgoing administration’s alleged racial and sexist bias, as his Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.

Confirming the development on Saturday night, Zeya tweeted: “In my 25+years as a diplomat, I learned that America’s greatest strength is the power of our example, diversity & democratic ideals. I will uphold and defend these values, if confirmed, as Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.

“Thank you, President-elect Biden for centering democracy and human rights in US foreign policy and the opportunity to serve the American people once more alongside the heroic women and men

at the State Department. It’s the honour of a lifetime to be among such all-star nominees.”

https://twitter.com/UzraZeya/status/1350439340200108033

Zeya, who has more than two decades of experience with the Department of State and has expertise in Near East, South Asian, Europe, human rights and multilateral affairs, was nominated on January 16, The American Bazaar reported.

“Zeya will be a champion for putting universal rights and strengthening democracy at the centre of our efforts to meet the challenges of the 21st century,” the Biden transition team said while announcing her nomination.

Zeya, who joined the US Foreign Service in 1990, left the State Department in 2018, alleging that Outgoing President Donald Trump’s administration was bent on reversing decades of gains made by minorities and women under secretaries like Colin Powell and Hillary Clinton.

In an article published by Politico, she wrote that “a quieter trend unfolded” under then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: “the exclusion of minorities from top leadership positions in the State Department and embassies abroad”.

https://twitter.com/UzraZeya/status/1350435165626105857

In her nearly three-decade-long stint at the State Department, Zeya served in a number of roles, including as Charge d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission at US Embassy in Paris from 2014 to 2017; as Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor from 2012 to 2014; and as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of State from 2011 to 2012.

She has served as US diplomat in capitals such as New Delhi, Muscat, Damascus, Cairo and Kingston.

Zeya joins a long list of India-Americans appointed by Biden as members of his administration.

Most recently, Sameera Fazili, who traces her family’s roots to Kashmir, was appointed as Deputy Director, National Economic Council; while health policy expert Vidur Sharma was named as the testing adviser on Biden’s Covid-19 Response Team.

Also read:Biden unveils plan for first 10 days to ‘unTrump’ US

Previous Story

Saudi to reopen Qatar embassy

Next Story

HDFC Bank Q3 net profit jumps 18%

Latest from -Top News

Trump Targets BRICS Allies with New Tariff

This move coincides with the ongoing BRICS summit being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil…reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump has announced that an additional 10 per cent tariff will

BRICS Endorses India’s Stand on Terror

The treaty proposed by India within the UN framework aims to provide a comprehensive legal basis for combating terrorism….reports Asian Lite News The leaders’ joint statement, issued after the 17th BRICS summit

BRICS Slams US Tariff Hikes

The leaders criticised developed nations for using environmental issues to justify trade restrictions on developing countries….reports Asian Lite News Rio de Janeiro, July 7 (IANS) Embroiled in a trade war launched by

US Tariffs Pushed to August Amid Talks

In April, Trump announced a base tariff of 10 per cent on most of America’s trading partners and thereafter additional duties ranging up to 50 per cent….reports Asian Lite News US President

Indonesia Joins BRICS Bloc

This year’s BRICS Summit saw an expanded format, reflecting the grouping’s growing relevance in international affairs….reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally welcomed Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto into the BRICS
Go toTop