Shamina Singh, 34, the highest ranking Indian American woman in the Clinton Administration, has been appointed to a key position by Democratic leader in Congress Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi, who represents the 8th District of California, named Singh as advisor to her Leadership Office and to serve as an envoy to the Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

She was also appointed Liaison to the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian American Affairs.

Also, Pelosi named Howard Moon, who assists her in managing floor operations for the Democrats in the House, which involves coordinating the scheduling of legislative business and advising Democratic members and their staff on floor strategy and parliamentary procedures, as her Floor Assistant.

"Shamina and Howard bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Leadership Office," Pelosi said.

"They represent a community whose perspectives are so important to the work we do each day for hard-working Americans."

Singh recently served as deputy campaign manager for Ron Kirk in his unsuccessful Senate campaign in Texas and served in the Clinton Administration, first as Congressional Liaison for Health Care at the US Department of Labour, and then as Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

"This is the first time that a leadership office in the US Congress has placed such a high priority on issues facing Asian and Pacific Islander Americans," she said, pledging to 'work hard to build strong relationships between Congress and our communities'.

Before working for the Clinton Administration, Singh had held positions with the Service Employees International Union and former Texas governor Ann Richards, who lost to now US President George W Bush during her re-election bid for a second term.