Richard Verma On His Indian Roots: From Punjab Partition Refugee To Top U.S. Diplomat!

Richard Verma On His Indian Roots: From Punjab Partition Refugee To Top U.S. Diplomat!

Advertisement
Business Today
  • Updated May 16, 2026 9:00 AM IST

Former US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma shares a deeply moving account of his ancestral connection to India. His mother was a refugee during the painful 100-year legacy of the Partition, and his father was a dedicated freedom fighter against British rule. Decades later, Verma returned to India as the US Ambassador, visiting the very school in Punjab where his mother once taught. This powerful story serves as a testament to the Indian diaspora's resilience, showing how a family's humble beginnings with just $14 shaped the trajectory of a top American diplomat.

Advertisement