Nearly two years later, US Senate confirms Garcetti as ambassador to India

• 7 Republicans joined a majority of Democrats in supporting Garcetti.
• As of January 2021, there is no US ambassador in New Delhi.
• “The US-India relationship is very important, it’s great that we have an ambassador,” Chuck Schumer

Washington: US Senate confirmed. President Joe Biden Nominee Eric Garcetti on Wednesday as ambassador to India, ending a nearly two-year nomination battle over allegations that the former Los Angeles mayor mishandled workplace harassment complaints.

Senators favored Garcetti 52-42, as seven Republicans joined the majority of Democrats in supporting Garcetti and three Democrats joined most Republicans in voting on the no.

The US has not had an ambassador in New Delhi since January 2021, an absence that is stark as Washington sees India as a partner in its efforts to push back China’s growing power and influence.

“The relationship between the United States and India is very important and it’s great that we now have an ambassador,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who visited Congress in India last month. A delegation was led by

Biden is eager to go deeper. Relations with IndiaIt is the world’s largest democracy and a major trading partner of the US, which it has framed as a competition between free and sovereign societies as part of its bid to win.

There are an estimated 2.7 million Indian immigrants living in the US.

However, New Delhi has frustrated Washington by participating in military exercises with Russia and increasing purchases of the country’s crude oil, a key source of funding for Russia. War in Ukraine. India is also a major buyer of Russian military equipment.

Biden nominated Garcetti for the post in July 2021 but was blocked in part by questions about his handling of sexual harassment allegations against an aide while he was mayor. Garcetti has denied wrongdoing.

Mayor of Los Angeles from 2013 until a term limit forced him out of office last year, Garcetti is close to Biden and co-chaired his 2020 presidential campaign.