New York, Jan 26 (IANS) Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has appointed an Indian American as her campaign policy director.

Neera Tanden, policy advisor to then President Bill Clinton, is on Hillary's campaign for the 2008 primaries. The former US first lady is hoping to be the first American woman to become president, competing in a field of eight candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for 2008 election.

"I have not joined yet. I will be joining in the next few weeks," Tanden told Desi Talk, an ethnic Indian newspaper.

The 37-year-old woman has been a top aide to Hillary Clinton for nearly 15 years. She worked with the Clintons during the presidential campaign of Bill Clinton and as Hillary Clinton's legislative aide in Washington.

Tanden has been the senior vice-president, academic affairs, at the Center for Responsive Politics, a Democratic think tank in Washington.

She worked on Hillary's 'Listening tour' before she ran for the Senate seat from New York State, and was in charge of all of Clinton's briefings and talking points.

Born in Boston and brought up in Bedford, Tanden is a University of California graduate. She also attended Yale Law School from 1993-96, and obtained a law degree.

A mother of two, Tanden is married to Benjamin Edwards, an artist and art gallery owner in New York.

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