Senate approves Eric Garcetti as US Ambassador to India, vacancy filled after 2-year gap

The appointment of Eric Garcetti, a close aide of President Joe Biden, as the US Ambassador to India was finally approved by the Senate on Wednesday, to fill a prestigious diplomatic vacancy after a gap of two years.

The Senate voted 52-42 in favour of Garcetti, a close aide of President Joe Biden.

The former Los Angeles mayor’s nomination had been awaiting the approval of the US Congress since July 2021 when President Biden nominated him as the Ambassador to New Delhi.

Garcetti’s nomination was not brought to the Senate for a vote during the last Congress as the ruling Democratic Party did not have sufficient support to get an approval.

52-year-old was not confirmed by the Senate in President Biden’s first two years in office as some lawmakers had expressed concerns that the then-mayor had not adequately handled allegations against a former senior adviser of sexual assault and harassment. President Biden had nominated Garcetti again in January this year.

The US ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster, who was appointed during the Trump administration, had resigned in January 2021 after the US elections.