Eric Garcetti, the former mayor of Los Angeles, was officially sworn in as US ambassador to India on Friday by Vice President Kamala Harris in a ceremony here.
Earlier this month, the US Senate confirmed Mr Garcetti’s nomination, ending a protracted hiatus of over two years to fill the key diplomatic position.
“I can’t wait to serve,” Mr Garcetti said, when asked about his new diplomatic assignment.
The ceremony was attended by his close family members, including wife Amy Wakeland, father Gil Garcetti, mother Sukey Garcetti and mother-in-law Dee Wakeland.
Garcetti’s daughter Maya holds a Hebrew Bible during Friday’s swearing-in ceremony, chaired by Vice President Harris.
Garcetti raised his right hand as Harris performed the ceremony, and family members cheered as the two longtime friends shook hands.
The ceremony was attended by close members of his family, including his wife Amy Wakeland, father Gil Garcetti, mother Sukey Garcetti and stepmother Dee Wakeland.
“He feels good. I look forward to serving,” Garcetti, 52, said when asked about his new diplomatic assignment. “I’m honored that the vice president did this,” he said.
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff also attended the event.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti’s nomination has been awaited before the US Congress since July 2021, when he was nominated by President Biden.
The Senate voted 52 to 42 to confirm Garcetti earlier this month after his nomination was blocked amid concerns among some lawmakers that he had not properly addressed the harassment allegations. and sexual assault of a former senior adviser.
Garcetti’s nomination did not make it to the Senate for a vote in the last Congress because the ruling Democratic Party did not have enough support to pass. President Biden reappointed him to his former position in January of this year.
Garcetti’s supporters argue that geopolitical concerns are too great to leave India without an ambassador.
The US Embassy in India has been without an ambassador since January 2021, the longest period in the history of US-India relations for which the position has been vacant since Kenneth Juster, special envoy. the last US officer in New Delhi, resigns after a change of government in India. America.
Biden has sought to strengthen economic ties with India as he seeks to counter growing Chinese influence in the region and build support for Ukraine in the face of continued Russian aggression.
India has not explicitly condemned the Russian invasion and continues to buy cheap gas from Moscow. When asked when he plans to visit India, Garcetti replied:
“I hope as soon as possible.”
The ceremony at Harris’s office also marked a personal moment between two politicians who have risen together in California’s political circles. Harris and Garcetti’s relationship spanned more than 15 years, during which time she served as California’s attorney general and later as a U.S. senator for the state, the Los Angeles Times reported.