Obama urged to appoint new India ambassador

"We are sure that the next Ambassador appointed by President Obama shall be a person of senior and influential background – either from the career diplomat services, or from public service," said USINPAC in a release.

"The United States and India can together be the pillars of a stable and democratic world in the 21st century, and jointly help solve many of the world’s challenges, as well benefit their own nations," it said.

USINPAC further said: "In addition, if over the last 10 years, trade between the world’s two largest democracies can grow four times, going from $24B in 2003 to $93B in 2012, at an annual growth rate above 16%; then, with the right political and trade policies there is scope for U.S.-India trade to cross US$ 500 billion in the near future."

"Having a senior leader in New Delhi is vital to ironing out differences on some of the issues that have crept up between the two countries so that a purposeful new beginning made to turbo-charge the relationship," it said.

USINPAC is the political voice of 2.7 million Indian-Americans. 

 U.S. Ambassador to India Nancy J. Powell  resigned from her position on Monday.

"U.S. Ambassador to India Nancy J. Powell announced in a U.S. Mission Town Hall meeting March 31 that she has submitted her resignation to President Obama and, as planned for some time, will retire to her home in Delaware before the end of May," an announcement on the US Embassy website said.

"She is ending a thirty-seven year career that has included postings as U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, Ghana, Pakistan, Nepal and India as well as service in Canada, Togo, Bangladesh, and Washington, where she was most recently Director General of the Foreign Service," it said.

 Ambassador Powell expressed her appreciation for the professionalism and dedication of the U.S. Mission to India team who have worked to expand the parameters of the U.S.-India bilateral relationship.  

"She also thanked those throughout India who have extended traditional warm Indian hospitality to her and who have supported stronger bilateral ties," read the statement.