Washington, Mar. 23 : The Obama Administration, in a stop gap arrangement has appointed Peter Burleigh as its envoy to India after David Mulford's term is over.

Burleigh's name may not have been heard in recent times in diplomatic circles, between, but he himself is not new to India, as he was posted in New Delhi in 1973-1975, during which he was considered a representative of the CIA.

Experts feel that Burleigh's past would not affect his assignment in India as both countries have developed stronger ties since the 1970s.

"His intelligence background in the 1970s is not a problem now, especially when the two sides are essentially on the same side," sources said here.

According to Rantburg. com, the appointment of Burleigh does not mean that Washington wants him to continue in the post left vacant by Mulford.

"I don''t think the administration wants to rush through anything on the India envoy front considering the number of recent screw-ups," a former US administration official said.

It may be recalled that the Clinton administration in 1993 appointed Frank Wisner as US's Ambassador in India, whose father Frank Wisner (Senior) was one of the founding members of the OSS, which later evolved into the CIA.

Since, Wisner's appointment several CIA officials have served for their country in the diplomatic domain with India. (ANI)