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.
"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.
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.