November 22, 2022
1 min read

Committed to getting Eric Garcetti as India envoy: White House

Garcetti’s nomination is in limbo with Republican Senators from Iowa, Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley placing a hold….reports Asian Lite News

Asserting that the US shares a very important relationship with India, the White House said that it is committed to getting Eric Garcetti as Washington’s Ambassador to New Delhi.

President Joe Biden nominated Garcetti, the Mayor of Los Angeles, as the next envoy to India on July 9, 2021.

His nomination is however, yet to receive confirmation from the Senate.

“India is a very important relationship that we have. You saw the President greet and meet very briefly with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi just last week when he was in Bali. So clearly, it’s an important relationship that we truly respect,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday.

Garcetti’s nomination is in limbo with Republican Senators from Iowa, Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley placing a hold.

The President’s pick also faces resistance from a few Democrats “over his professed lack of knowledge about sexual assault and harassment allegations against a top adviser”, as reported by Politico.

“As for Mayor Garcetti, we are committed to getting him through the process.A We’re continuing to talk to the Senate on making that happen. That is a priority of ours,” Jean-Pierre said.

Garcetti was accused of being aware of alleged sexual misconduct of his top aide Rick Jacobs — an allegation that he has persistently denied.

The White House comments come a week after Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna had tweeted that it is about time the US confirms an ambassador to India to strengthen critical relationship and national security

The Biden administration named diplomat Elizabeth Jones as Charge d’Affaires ad interim in its Embassy in India — the sixth interim envoy since January 2021.

Before her, Patricia A, Lacina was the Charge d’Affaires at the embassy.

Experts say the absence of a full-time envoy in such an important country could prove detrimental to US interests in the region.

Kenneth Juster, who was the last US ambassador to India from 2017 until early 2021, described the delay as “less than ideal”.

ALSO READ: Pramila Jayapal backs Biden running for a 2nd term in 2024

Previous Story

BJP campaign across 93 seats today

Next Story

Will 2 Indian-origin women be running for Prez?

Latest from -Top News

India, US Step Up Trade Talks

The development comes in the backdrop of the new US ambassador Sergio Gor taking charge in the US embassy is New Delhi….reports Asian Lite News India and the United States are progressing

Lanka Marks Next Phase of Indian Housing Drive

Phases III and IV of the Indian Housing Project highlight India’s commitment to supporting and empowering Sri Lanka’s Indian-origin Tamil community….reports Asian Lite News Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday

China’s Grab for Africa

China’s investments aim to strengthen its geopolitical influence and its high-tech manufacturing sector in Africa…reports Asian Lute News China is further consolidating its dominance in the rare earth elements sector by expanding

Pakistan Courts in Peril

The question now is whether Pakistan’s courts can continue to function as guardians of the law, or whether they will be reduced to instruments of control…reports Asian Lite News Pakistan judiciary’s independence
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Fresh Tensions Grip Indo-Pacific

South Korea criticised Japan’s yesterday’s event and protested Japan’s renewed

Tehran ready for ‘useful’ talks on lifting sanctions

This was the second phone conversation between the two leaders