Two Indian-Americans on Bush's advisory panel

United States President George W Bush has chosen two Indian Americans as Commissioners to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Dr Akshay Desai from Florida and Joseph Melookaran from Kansas have been chosen by Bush as Commissioners to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, a White House statement said in Washington.

The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation, it said.

Desai and Melookaran figure among the 14 people chosen for the advisory body.

Vice President Richard Cheney presided over a ceremony at White House yesterday to celebrate the announcements in absence of Bush. Cheney lauded the smooth transition of power in India.