<h1>President nominates ambassador-designate to India as special envoy for South and Central Asia, faces confirmation hearing</h1> A US ambassador-designate and close presidential aide has been nominated to serve in India and to act as special envoy for South and Central Asia, a move characterized by the Indian diplomatic mission in Washington as signaling the importance and priority of bilateral ties. The nominee faces a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing. A US-India business strategic forum endorsed the nomination, asserting the candidate's high-level government experience and presidential confidence will help repair recent strains over trade and energy, restore an on-site ambassador after a prolonged vacancy, and advance economic, security and regional cooperation.