New York: Vice President Kamala Harris officially swore in former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as the US Ambassador to India at a ceremony. Garcetti was confirmed as the next US ambassador to India earlier this month. The deadlock that had been going on for two years had ended. Garcetti’s family members attended Friday’s swearing-in ceremony. This included his wife and daughter. Asked about his new diplomatic assignment, the former mayor said, “I can’t wait to serve.” The US Senate confirmed his appointment in a 52-42 vote with cross-voting from both sides.
Garcetti was once a rising star in the Democratic Party, but was recently criticized for ignoring sexual harassment complaints against a senior aide. His nomination was withheld over these allegations. President Joe Biden first nominated her in July 2021, but it did not move forward. The last US ambassador to New Delhi was Kenneth Juster, who stepped down in January 2021 following a change of government in the US.
