Truly Optimistic About America’s Ability To Lead On Global Stage, Says Richard Verma At Confirmation Hearing

If confirmed as Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, The Indian-American lawyer-diplomat would be the highest-ranking Indian American in the department.

New Delhi: Richard Verma said on Thursday that while the world currently suffers from no shortage of challenges, he is truly optimistic about America’s ability to lead on the global stage.

The Indian-American lawyer-diplomat, 54, made these remarks to the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing for Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources.

If confirmed, Verma would be the highest-ranking Indian American in the State Department.

“Today’s world suffers from no shortage of challenges. From the war in Ukraine, to renewed great power competition, to evolving transnational threats. One could easily become discouraged. But there is a reason for hope. I am truly optimistic about America’s ability to lead on the global stage and meet this critical moment in time,” Verma told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing.

While addressing the Senators, Verma said that he would be steadfast in the management and oversight of taxpayer dollars.

“I will advance a strategic vision that aligns our resources with our national security priorities, and that will be delivered operationally through our workforce, through updated information technology, and modern facilities, as well as through impactful foreign assistance programmes at the Department and USAID,” he said.

While testifying before the committee, he said that his parents fought for Indian independence and helped build a post-Colonial India, and then bravely set out for the United States 60 years ago, seeking a better life for their children, arriving here with virtually nothing.

 “Their story is the story of the American dream – and my appearance before you today is a testament to the profound promise and power of that dream,” he said.

Senator Ben Cardin too while introducing Verma to Senate Foreign Relations Committee said that Verma’s story, and really his family’s story, is worth highlighting.

 “Rich’s father, Professor Kamal Verma, who joins us here today, provides us with a classic American immigrant success story. He arrived in the United States in 1963 with USD 14 dollars and a bus ticket. And nothing else. No family. No support system. Yet he went on to become a professor at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown where he taught for 43 years as a scholar in English and South Asian literature,” Cardin said.

Cardin further said that Verma is a US Air Force veteran. He worked in the Senate for many years as Senator Harry Reid’s National Security Advisor. He is a former Assistant Secretary of State, a distinguished US Ambassador to India, and now he is the General Counsel of one of America’s most well-known and reputable companies, Mastercard.

“I can’t think of a more qualified nominee to take over the Deputy Secretary position for management and resources,” Senator Cardin said.

Present during the confirmation hearing, Ronak D. Desai, a leading India practitioner at Paul Hastings LLP, and expert at the Lakshmi Mittal South Asia Institute at Harvard University said that the hearing demonstrated why he is eminently qualified to serve as Deputy Secretary of State.

“His deep expertise and experience were on sharp display,” Desai said.

He said that Verma is one of the most respected and effective public servants, adding that he is respected profoundly by members of both parties.

"His hearing underscored why he should be confirmed swiftly and on a bipartisan basis. His years of working across both sides of the aisle is a rare achievement in a polarised Washington, and will render him an even more effective leader and diplomat around the world on behalf of the United States,” Desai said.