Indian American Vedant Patel To Serve As Interim Spokesperson Of US State Department

Indian American Vedanta Patel will serve as the interim spokesperson of the US State Department as the current spox Ned Price prepares to step down this month.

Indian-American Vedant Patel

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Indian American Vedanta Patel will serve as the interim spokesperson of the US State Department until a replacement is announced for the current spokesperson, Ned Price who is going to step down this month, reported ANI. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Patel will take over the position of interim spokesperson. Vedan Patel will directly work for Blinken at State Department.

According to the statement, Ned Price began to work as a US Department of State spokesperson on January 20, 2021.

Blinken said that Price started holding Department's daily press briefings within days of taking on the role, and has held over 200 briefings since then.

Dropped by the briefing room today to thank @StateDeptSpox Ned Price for his service to @StateDept, conducting more than 200 briefings during his tenure. I could not have asked for a better traveling companion, a better advisor, or a better friend over these last two years. pic.twitter.com/GIqjRRniPN

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 9, 2023

"I could not have asked for a better traveling companion, a better advisor, or a better friend over these last two years," Blinken added.

Blinken added that Price has helped the US government defend and promote press freedom around the world and modelled the transparency and openness that the US advocates for other nations.

Since day one as Spokesperson, Ned Price has been a voice for U.S. foreign policy, modeled transparency and integrity, and promoted press freedom around the world. Fortunate I’ll be able to continue to rely on him as trusted advisor in his new role. pic.twitter.com/cB0mTTwwNt

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 8, 2023

According to ANI, Blinken noted that Price has been a face and voice of US foreign policy and performed with extraordinary professionalism and integrity. He thanked Ned Price for his remarkable service.

Patel will serve as the interim spox till a name for the position is finalised.

Patel was born in India and raised in California He is a graduate of the University of California-Riverside and the University of Florida.
As per the ANI report, he served as an Assistant Press Secretary and spokesperson for President Biden.

Patel has also worked on several political campaigns, including those of Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Congressman Mike Honda, where he served as Communications Director.