Biden's Pick For US Envoy Michael Garcetti Says India Situated In 'Tough Neighbourhood'

Michael Garcetti, nominated for the next US ambassador to India, has said that India is situated in a “tough neighbourhood”. He said that he would further US efforts to strengthen India's capabilities

US Ambassador-Designate Michael Garcetti | ANI Photo

Nominated for the next US ambassador to India, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Michael Garcetti has said that India is located in a “tough neighbourhood”. He further said that if his name is confirmed, he will further US' efforts to strengthen India's capabilities.

During his confirmation hearing for US Ambassador to India, Garcetti said, "India is situated in a tough neighbourhood. If my name is confirmed, I will further advance US efforts to defend its borders and sovereignty and strengthen India's ability to deter aggression."

#WATCH | India is situated in a tough neighborhood.If confirmed, I intend to double-down on our efforts to strengthen India’s capacity to secure its borders and deter aggression through counterterrorism coordination: Eric Garcetti on his nomination as US Envoy to India pic.twitter.com/JqfFDoE6iV

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2021

Defence partnership to be enhanced

Garcetti said he would make efforts "through information sharing, counterterrorism coordination, joint freedom of navigation patrols and military exercises (which I have participated in as a naval officer with my Indian counterparts) and the sales of our best defence technologies in order to realize the full potential of our major defence partnership."

"As a member of Quad, alongside US-Japan-Australia, India is playing a greater role in helping maintain free & open Indo-Pacific. In Sept, Biden administration hosted 1st-ever in-person Quad Summit," said Senator Robert Menendez welcoming the nomination of Eric Garcetti. 

He said if confirmed, he will work closely with India to support a similarly bold approach of promoting green energy through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and through Agenda 2030 Climate and Clean Energy Partnership.