Ashish Ranjan
Wednesday, the US Senate confirmed Eric Garcetti, a close adviser to President Joe Biden, as the country’s next ambassador to India. Garcetti, age 52, will now occupy the key diplomatic position that had been vacant for over two years.
The nomination of Garcetti was confirmed by a vote of 52 to 42.Since July 2021, when Biden nominated him for the prestigious diplomatic post, the former mayor of Los Angeles’s nomination has been pending before the US Congress.Olivia Dalton, Principal Deputy Press Secretary, told PTI that President Biden believes the United States has a crucial and consequential partnership with India and that Garcetti will make a strong and effective ambassador.
“Dalton stated, “The President appreciates Chairman Menendez and senators from both parties for their careful consideration and today’s bipartisan vote to confirm Mayor Garcetti.The relationship between India and the United States is strategic, economic, and culturally significant.
Founded on shared values, bolstered by expanding economic and trade relations, and bolstered by the Indian diaspora in the United States, this partnership continues to hold great promise for the future “Senator Mark Warner, co-chair of the India Caucus of the Senate, stated.
Who is Eric Garcetti?
- From July 2013 to December 2022, Garcetti was the 42nd mayor of Los Angeles. In addition, he was elected by his colleagues four times between 2006 and 2012 to serve as president of the City Council.
- The 52-year-old American politician was born on February 4, 1971, grew up in the San Fernando Valley, and received his BA and MA from Columbia University.
- He attended both Oxford University and the London School of Economics as a Rhodes Scholar (LSE).
- Prior to entering politics, he taught from 1997 to 1999 at the University of Southern California and from 1998 to 2001 at Occidental College in Los Angeles.
- He has led more than 400 mayors in the United States to adopt the Paris Climate Agreement and co-founded Climate Mayors.
- Twelve years were spent by Garcetti as an officer in the United States Navy Reserve.
- He is a fourth-generation Angeleno and the son of government employees.
- He is a photographer and jazz pianist.
- Together with his wife, Amy Elaine Wakeland, he has a daughter.
