File photo of Nancy Powell
The sudden resignation of the US ambassador to India less than two years into her troubled term opens an opportunity for both sides to reboot strained ties ahead of an expected change in government, analysts say.
Nancy Powell, US ambassador since 2012, had a torrid time at the helm of one of Washington's most important diplomatic missions as it became embroiled in one of the most serious downturns in relations in decades.
New Delhi was incensed in late December when Devyani Khobragade, an Indian diplomat in New York was arrested, strip-searched and then pursued in court over allegations that she violated visa rules by underpaying a maid.
Ms Powell, who has spent 37 years in the US foreign service, had to manage the firestorm, contending with furious Indian officials.
While managing this, Ms Powell was also central to a sharp - some say belated - change in US policy over opposition leader Narendra Modi who is tipped to emerge as prime minister after national elections starting next Monday.
The US recently decided to end a decade-long boycott of Modi, who was chief minister of western Gujarat state in 2002 when anti-Muslim riots broke out, leaving more than 1,000 people dead.
In February, long after European powers had re-engaged, Ms Powell called upon the prime ministerial candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at his office in Gujarat.
"The sense in Washington is that they should have engaged with Modi much earlier than February," said Neelam Deo, director of Gateway House, a foreign policy think tank in Mumbai. "He is being considered a serious prime ministerial candidate by the United States."
The reasons for Ms Powell's exit have been explained by the US State Department as her simply deciding to end her distinguished career early and retire to her home in Delaware state.
But whatever the reasons, most agree that her decision to leave offers both sides a chance to rebuild with new personalities amid speculation that US President Barack Obama will now appoint a heavy-hitting figure to lead in New Delhi.
On his visit to India in 2010, Obama called the budding strategic relationship between the United States and India as "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century".
But, the Khobragade episode has set back ties, leading to a flurry of cancellations between officials which have resumed only tentatively in recent months.
"The change (at the US embassy) is coming at a time when there is a downturn in the relationship," former Indian diplomat G. Parthasarathy told AFP.