Several political and community leaders from the Indian American diaspora welcomed Friday’s nomination of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as the new U.S. Ambassador to India, reported the American Bazaar.
The pick by President Joe Biden has been anticipated for months as the two have a close relationship. Garcetti served as co-chair of Biden’s successful 2020 presidential campaign.
Illinois Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi called the nomination “an important step forward in the U.S.-India partnership as our nations work together to end the pandemic, increase economic cooperation, and ensure regional security.”
Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of the nonprofit Indiaspora said Biden’s pick is a clear signal of the president’s intention to strengthen ties between the two countries.
“The choice of a leader with Garcetti’s personal links and political experience will be invaluable in further strengthening ties between the two nations,” he said.
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According to the Hindustan Times, Biden has spoken four times to India Prime Minister Narendra Modi since taking office.
Modi has a strong relationship with former President Donald Trump and is seen as more politically aligned with Trump than Biden.
Garcetti served as commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and the Defense Intelligence Agency, retiring in 2017 as a Lieutenant, reported the Times. He is familiar with the region.
“Garcetti understands the urgency and reality of addressing climate change, is familiar with geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region from his service in the U.S. Navy,” said Impact Executive Director Neil Makhija to The American Bazaar.
Garcetti is not without his critics. He has been involved in a number of controversies during his two terms as mayor.
LAist reports he put his chief of staff on administrative leave last month after she made sexualized disparaging remarks about United Farm Worker leader Delores Huerta and members of the city staff on Facebook.
Garcetti was said to have been warned about inappropriate sexual harassment behavior by his communications officer Rick Jacobs, but dismissed the allegations. The city is currently being sued by the accuser.
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