Washington, Jul 31 (IANS): Mitul Desai, an Indian American international finance and law expert, has been brought in to State Department's South Asia bureau to lead its efforts to expand "partnerships and engagement with the private sector and diaspora groups" in the US.

Announcing the appointment of Desai at an India Donor Roundtable here last week, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Robert Blake said "The US-India relationship has never been stronger," thanks to the "important role" that the Indian community has "played in creating and strengthening these ties."

"Indeed I have made it a priority for the South and Central Asia Bureau to expand our partnerships and engagement with the private sector and diaspora groups here in the US," he said.

Desai, who has been named Senior Advisor for Outreach, comes from a private sector career in international finance and law, where he worked on many issues, including global health, Blake noted.

"He also has extensive experience working with diaspora communities. I know he is very excited to work with you in his new capacity," he said.

Desai received his BA in Chemistry and Philosophy at Rudgers University and his JD from the Boston University School of Law. He was born in Kankakee, Illinois, and lived in South Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania before moving to Succasunna, New Jersey, where he spent most of his childhood.

His parents, Indirajit and Surekha Desai who hail from Gujarat, came to the US in the 1960s, when they were both in their early 20s. He has a younger brother, Amit.