On March 4, 2021, the US Senate ‘s Relations Committee voted in favor of Eric Garcetti, the Mayor of Los Angeles, to serve as the US Ambassador to India. The vote passed with 20 members in favor and only 3 opposed, signaling strong bipartisan support for Garcetti’s nomination.
Garcetti has served as Mayor of Los Angeles since 2013 and has been re-elected twice, making him the longest-serving mayor in the city’s history. During his time as mayor, Garcetti has focused on improving infrastructure, tackling homelessness, and promoting sustainability. He has also been an advocate for increased trade and investment between Los Angeles and India, which is the city’s third-largest trading partner.
Garcetti as the US Ambassador confirmed by US Senate
If confirmed by the full Senate, Garcetti would take over as the US Ambassador to India at a crucial time in the relationship between the two countries. The US and India have been working to deepen their strategic partnership in recent years, with a particular focus on defense cooperation and counterterrorism efforts. However, there have also been tensions between the two countries over trade issues and India’s treatment of its minority Muslim population.
Garcetti’s experience as mayor of a diverse and multicultural city like Los Angeles could be an asset in navigating these complex issues. He has also traveled to India several times and has met with Indian officials, business leaders, and cultural figures. In a statement following the committee vote, Garcetti said, “I’m honored to have earned the confidence of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and look forward to the next steps in the confirmation process. The U.S.-India relationship is one of the most important partnerships we have, and I’m eager to represent our nation to the world’s largest democracy.”
Garcetti’s nomination has also been praised by members of the Indian-American community. Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal tweeted her support for Garcetti, saying, “I’ve seen firsthand the important work Mayor Garcetti has done on behalf of the Indian-American community and our shared values. I’m thrilled that he will bring his experience and vision to the vital role of Ambassador to India.”
Garcetti’s nomination now goes to the full Senate for confirmation, which could happen in the coming weeks. If confirmed, he would take over from Kenneth Juster, who served as the US Ambassador to India from 2017 to 2021.
The US-India relationship is a crucial one, and the role of the Ambassador to India is an important one. India is the world’s largest democracy and a key player in the region, with a growing economy and significant geopolitical influence. The US and India have worked to deepen their strategic partnership in recent years, particularly in the areas of defense and counterterrorism. However, there have also been tensions between the two countries, particularly over trade issues and India’s treatment of its minority Muslim population.
Garcetti’s nomination comes at a time when the US-India relationship is particularly important. The two countries have a shared interest in promoting stability and security in the region, and there is significant potential for increased trade and investment between the two countries. Garcetti’s experience as mayor of Los Angeles, a city with a large Indian-American population and close ties to India, could be an asset in navigating these complex issues.
If confirmed as the US Ambassador to India, Garcetti will have a key role to play in advancing the US-India relationship. He will be responsible for representing the United States to the Indian government and people, promoting US interests in India, and working to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries. This will require strong diplomatic skills, a deep understanding of Indian culture and politics, and a commitment to advancing US interests while also respecting India’s sovereignty.
