Eric Garcetti’s nomination as special envoy for India approved by US Senate

Eric Garcetti, a close aide to President Joe Biden, was confirmed as U.S. ambassador to India after the Senate voted on his nomination on Wednesday, filling a key diplomatic post after a two-year hiatus.

The Senate voted 52 to 42 to advance the former Los Angeles mayor’s nomination, ending months of stasis for Garcetti.

The former mayor’s nomination had been pending before the US Congress since July 2021, when he was nominated for the prestigious diplomatic post by Biden. The position remained vacant for more than two years.

Mr. Garcetti’s nomination was not brought to the Senate for a vote in the last Congress because the ruling Democratic Party did not have enough support to push him through.

The 52-year-old was not confirmed by the Senate in President Biden’s first two years in office, with some lawmakers concerned the then-mayor failed to properly address allegations against a former senior adviser on sexual assault and harassment.

President Biden reappointed Garcetti to the same post in January of this year.

The last American ambassador to India, Kenneth Juster, resigned in January 2021 after the change of government in the United States.