Washington: Indian-Americans won one of their highest-ever appointments in the U.S. government when President Obama on Tuesday nominated Dr. Rajiv Shah as administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Dr. Shah, who currently serves as Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics and Chief Scientist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will take his new job after he is confirmed by the Senate, a step that is expected to happen quickly, reports Times of India. With a budget of over $40 billion and nearly 2000 employees, USAID is an independent federal agency that is responsible for most U.S. non-military foreign aid, virtually the developmental face of Uncle Sam. "The mission of USAID is to advance America's interests by strengthening our relationships abroad. Rajiv brings fresh ideas and the dedication and impressive background necessary to help guide USAID as it works to achieve this important goal," said Obama while announcing Shah's nomination. Shah, a graduate of University of Michigan, earned his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and his Master of Science in health economics at the Wharton School of Business. He also attended the London School of Economics, variously working at the World Health Organization, advising the Gore 2000 presidential campaign on health care policy, and most recently, before joining the Obama administration, serving as Director for Agricultural Development at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. At USDA, he managed the Agricultural Research Service, the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistical Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and was responsible for overseeing more than 10,000 staff worldwide including 2,200 federal scientists and a budget of more than $2.6 billion. He also launched the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) - a new scientific institute created to elevate and enhance the capacity of agricultural research to address sustainable food production, climate change, bio-energy and human nutrition. The job as USAID administrator is a major promotion, elevating him to a crucial job that involves advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting economic growth, agriculture and trade; health; democracy, conflict prevention, and humanitarian assistance abroad. Although its predecessor agency International Cooperation Administration dates back to World War II and the Marshall Plan, USAID was formally constituted in 1961 and is considered a crucial foreign policy arm of the U.S. government. Hillary Clinton warmly welcomed the Shah's appointment, describing him as a leader in the development community, an innovative and results-oriented manager, and someone who understands the importance of providing people around the world with the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty and chart their own destinies. "A trained medical doctor and health economist, Raj has the skills and experience to lead a reinvigorated USAID in the 21st century. He has a record of delivering results in both the private and public sectors, forging partnerships around the world, especially in Africa and Asia, and developing innovative solutions in global health, agriculture, and financial services for the poor," Clinton said in a statement.