WASHINGTON, Mar 30 :  US President Barack Obama has roped in a well-known defence expert to head the South Asia desk at the National Security Council.
In his new role, Lavoy will advise the President and National Security Advisor Susan Rice on national security and foreign policy matters related to India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives and coordinate US policies toward South Asia across the departments and agencies of the US Government.
Along with Lavoy, the White House has also appointed Joshua T White from the Stimson Center - a Washington-based think-tank - as Senior Advisor and Director for South Asian Affairs at the National Security Council.
The White House did not respond to questions on when Lavoy and White would formally start their work.    ?PTI