Sumona Guha : Not a household name, yet she is one of the most powerful women in determining the US policy towards South Asia. As the special assistant to President Joe Biden and senior director for South Asia at the National Security Council, she advises the president on major topics such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and the Indo-Pacific region.
Guha has a fantastic journey that goes from being an economist to a diplomat to a campaign strategist. She is also the only Indian-American who was there in the momentous meeting between Biden and Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) in September 2021, where they discussed a range of themes from Covid-19 to climate change to counter-terrorism.
Guha’s skills and experience in South Asia are unsurpassed. She has served in numerous capacities in the State Department, the Office of the Vice President, and the Senate. She has also worked closely with the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, where she helped design the US strategy for ending the conflict in Afghanistan and supporting regional security.
Sumona Guha As Senior Director
Guha’s selection as the senior director for South Asia demonstrates Biden’s commitment to improving the US-India alliance and fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific. She is also a co-chair of the South Asia foreign policy working group on the Biden-Harris campaign, where she helped design the vision and plan for interacting with the area.
Guha is a proud Indian-American who has deep roots in both nations. She was born in Kolkata and went to the US with her family when she was young. She holds degrees from Georgetown and Johns Hopkins University, where she studied economics and international relations. She is fluent in Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu.
Guha is an inspiration for many young women who wish to pursue careers in foreign policy and public service. She is a trailblazer who has shattered boundaries and glass ceilings in a male-dominated sector. She is also a role model who has handled her career and personal life with grace and respect.
Guha’s path proves that with hard effort, passion, and dedication, everything is achievable. She is a tribute to the American ideal and the Indian culture. She is a bridge-builder who has encouraged mutual understanding and cooperation between two of the world’s major democracies. She is Sumona Guha – the Indian-American woman behind Biden’s South Asia policy.
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