Does this indicate the US State Departments cautious approach regarding South Asia?
It indicates two things. It shows there will be more continuity than change in the relations. Also, the confirmation of the appointment of a US ambassador or an assistant secretary of state is a long process in the US. Asking appointees of the previous administration to serve on indicates that the new administration does not want an important position to remain vacant for too long. What are the long-term prospects of Indo-US relations? Long-term prospects of Indo-US ties have two contexts: Bilateral and global. There are three linkages in bilateral ties that have improved and can improve further. These are economic (bilateral trade has gone up to $30 billion and most of this is between the private sectors of the two countries), civil society ties and stronger defence ties. Civil society ties will improve regardless of government actions, but will have a positive effect on inter-government ties. Defence ties have improved with regular military exercises and contacts. Also, there can be
