Political India: Engaging America

India's new Ambassador to the United States, Nirupama Rao, has formally presented her credentials to the State Department and directly to President Barack Obama as well, the Indian embassy here said.

This week, Ms. Rao, who held the post of Foreign Secretary before taking up her role in Washington, initially met with Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns, to whom she presented her credentials.

On Friday, Ms. Rao, along with 11 other new Ambassadors, including the Ambassador of the newly opened Libyan embassy here, met Mr. Obama at the White House Oval Office.

“The presentation of credentials is a traditional ceremony that marks the formal beginning of an Ambassador's service in Washington,” the White House said in a statement.

The Indian embassy said that Mr. Obama had “warmly welcomed Ambassador Rao back to Washington and wished her every success in her high responsibilities.”