New Delhi, July 17 - The new US envoy to India, Timothy J. Roemer, arrived here Thursday night, ahead of the visit of the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who reaches Mumbai Friday.

The nomination of Roemer, a former House of Representatives member, was confirmed by the Senate last week.

Roemer will only take over his position officially after he presents his credentials to the President. He arrived early to be present during the visit of Secretary Clinton.

A six-term congressman from Indiana, 52-year-old Roemer is known for his moderate, bipartisan politics and national security experience. He will succeed David Mulford, who played a key role in pushing the India-US nuclear deal during the second term of the George W. Bush presidency.

An expert on non-proliferation and weapons of mass destruction, Roemer, a former member of the 9/11 Commission, is said to be close to US President Barack Obama. Roemer now serves on the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism.