Raj Shah could be first Indian-American Cabinet minister

United States Agency for International Development's Indian-American head Raj Shah, who has established himself as one of the most successful administrators of the agency, is being seen as a strong contender for a Cabinet position as President Barack Obama prepares for his second term and forms a new team.

Given his strong credentials as a successful USAID administrator and his unflinching loyalty to Obama, administrative and political sources told PTI that Raj could well be poised for one of the Cabinet positions in particular that of secretary of health and human services; secretary of agriculture and secretary of education.

Further Shah, 39, would not face any difficulties in any Senate confirmation given his strong credentials and support across both sides of the aisle.

Shah, who in the last three ands half years has established himself as one of the most successful administrators of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) -- the agency that provides economic, development and humanitarian assistance around the world.

The White House for now has refused to entertain any question on new appointment or possibility of it.

"I have no personnel announcements to make of any kind," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters on Friday when he was asked several times on various new Cabinet appointments including that of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

Before being appointed as USAID head -- the highest ranking Indian American in any presidential administration -- in January 2010, Shah worked in a range of leadership riles at the Bill and Milinda Gates Foundation.