Great Expectations: History of US-India Relations with Ambassador Nancy Jo Powell

Notre Dame International Security Center

An Interview with Ambassador Nancy Jo Powell by Pranav Guntupalli Interview Summary : Ambassador Nancy Jo Powell speaks about the history of US relations with South Asia including the death of American ambassador Arnold Raphel in 1988, nuclear tension in the subcontinent, and re-emerging non-alignment in India’s foreign policy today. She also recounts her experience in the foreign service and shares advice for aspiring diplomats. Biography: Ambassador Nancy Jo Powell is one of the most distinguished diplomats in modern American history. Ambassador Powell joined the foreign service in 1977, and served with distinction for over 37 years, including assignments as the US ambassador to Uganda, US ambassador to Ghana, US ambassador to Pakistan, US ambassador to Nepal, and as the first female US ambassador to India. In 2006, Amb. Powell received one of the US government’s most prestigious awards – The Homeland Security service to America award – for her work as the State Department’s senior coordinator on the Avian and Influenza epidemics. Amb. Powell holds the rank of Career Ambassador, the highest rank in the US foreign service.