Indian-American appointed to key Pentagon position

Indian-American Vikram Singh has been appointed to a key Pentagon position to look after entire South and Southeast Asia.

"Vikram J Singh has been appointed to the senior executive service and is assigned as deputy assistant secretary of defence for south and Southeast Asia, office of the Under Secretary of Defence (Policy)," a Pentagon announcement said.

Singh previously served as special assistant, office of the under secretary of defence (policy), it said.

Singh was a close associate of late Richard Holbrooke, the Special US Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He replaces Robert Scher, who has now been assigned as the deputy assistant secretary of defence for plans.