Washington: Condoleeza Rice, considered one of the architects of Bush administration's according high priority on enhanced ties with India, was yesterday (Nov 16, 2004) appointed the US Secretary of State to succeed moderate Colin Powell.

Rice, 50, who is a combination of hardline and moderate voices in the White House depending on issues, has worked closely with Powell on fashioning the US' relationships with India in the last four years under President George W Bush.

Condoleeza Rice story

A meeting between Rice and senior Indian leaders and officials' during their visit to Washington was a regular feature during the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) rule.

Rice, who is the first African American woman to become the Secretary of State, would be succeeded by Steve Hadley as the National Security Adviser in Bush's new team.

No obstacles are expected to Rice's confirmation by the Senate though Democratic Senator Ron Wyden said there would certainly by some hard questions relating to her past statements on Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction, the removal of which President Bush gave as the justification for the Iraq war.