Indian American Vedant Patel steps in as interim US spokesperson

Indian American Vedant Patel will be serving as the interim spokesperson of the US State Department, as Ned Price is going to step down this month.
According to the announcement made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Patel will take over the position of interim spokesperson. Price will continue to work directly for Antony Blinken at State Department.

Ned Price began to work as a US Department of State spokesperson on January 20, 2021, according to the statement.

Blinken said that Price started holding Department's daily press briefings within days of taking on the role, and has held over 200 briefings since then.

While a replacement for Price is yet to be announced, Patel will take charge in the interim.

"Always have been in awe of Ned Price. In awe of his unflappability, his big heart, his deep understanding of foreign policy, his fierce loyalty to the State Department and his team. Thankful to have spent time in the foxhole with him, and so glad he's not going far!" tweeted Patel.

Patel, born in India and raised in California, is a graduate of the University of California-Riverside and the University of Florida.

Patel served as an Assistant Press Secretary and spokesperson for President Biden, where he honed his skills in handling media relations and communications strategy.

(ANI)