January 13, 2022
2 mins read

Garcetti’s nomination as US envoy to India advances

Garcetti, the Mayor of Los Angeles, and Blome had appeared before the Committee in December for a hearing at which they outlined their agendas as ambassadors and answered questions from Senators…reports Asian Lite News

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved the nomination of Eric Garcetti to be the US Ambassador to India, a position that has been vacant for almost a year.

The nomination will now go to the full Senate where a vote is likely soon as Republican Senator Ted Cruz has lifted his procedural hold on nominations that he placed because of his differences with President Joe Biden on a gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.

The committee also approved the nomination of Donald Armin Blome to be the envoy to Pakistan.

Garcetti, the Mayor of Los Angeles, and Blome had appeared before the Committee in December for a hearing at which they outlined their agendas as ambassadors and answered questions from Senators.

But they were not included in the group of about 30 nominations of Ambassadors approved by the full Senate with a voice vote last month.

The Senate Committee had to approve the nominations of Garcetti, Blome and others, including Amy Guttman as Ambassador to Germany, once again on Wednesday as the earlier vote lapsed when the Senate session ended at the end of the year.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez said: “I believe they are all well qualified and deserving of their nominations. I will be voting for them and look forward to their swift confirmation.”

Even as India’s relations with the US has advanced during Biden’s first year in office, the Ambassador’s position has been vacant since January last year when Ken Juster resigned following the defeat of Donald Trump who had appointed him.

Faced with growing aggressive behaviour by China, Biden has focused on the Indo-Pacific region, where New Delhi has a key role, advancing the Quad, the four-member group of India, the US, Japan and Australia, and convening its first summit.

Menendez said: “Prolonged vacancies are not in our interest. They undermine our national security, hinder our leadership role abroad and benefit only are at the service training to the nominees we are considering today.”

Cruz had been blocking most Ambassador nominations using procedural manoeuvres because of a dispute with Biden over sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that Russia is building to Germany, but relaxed the hold last month.

ALSO READ-US monitoring India-China border dispute: White House

Previous Story

India, China hold 12-hr long talks on border point disengagement

Next Story

The deafening silence of Muslim voters in UP

Latest from -Top News

India fast-tracks FTAs as US drags feet

As India cements its position as a global trading force with a flurry of new free trade agreements, including a landmark pact with the United Kingdom, negotiations with the United States continue

Modi Lands in Malé for Big Day

PM Modi is visiting the Maldives at the invitation of President Muizzu to participate as the Guest of Honour at the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra

Industry Hails India-UK FTA

£34 billion boost, sweeping tariff cuts and market access mark UK’s most ambitious post-Brexit trade pact; Indian sectors set for exports surge…reports Asian Lite News Business leaders from both India and the

India, UK Sign Landmark FTA

The pact is set to make imported goods like Scotch whisky, gin, luxury cars, cosmetics, and medical devices more affordable for Indian consumers….reports Asian Lite News In a landmark moment for India-UK
Go toTop

Don't Miss

SEWA founder and Gandhian Ela Bhatt dies at 89

The former Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith, Elaben inspired lakhs of

US eases rules to help aged-out Indian children

This USCIS policy change is effective immediately and applies to