The former Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, was officially sworn in as the US Ambassador to India by US Vice-President Kamala Harris during a ceremonial event on Friday. His nomination which was confirmed earlier this month would finally fill the key diplomatic position that was empty for over two years, reported news agency PTI.
When asked about his new diplomatic assignment, Garcetti told reporters, "I cannot wait to serve."
Harris took to Twitter to share a visual from the swearing-in ceremony. While sharing the visual she said that Garcetti was a committed public servant and he would be playing a key role in strengthening ties with India and Indians. Her tweet read, "Today, I had the honor of swearing in my fellow Californian, Eric Garcetti, to be our next Ambassador to India. Ambassador Garcetti is a committed public servant and will play a critical role in strengthening our partnership with the people of India."
During the swearing-in ceremony which was attended by his close family members including his wife Amy Wakeland, father Gil Garcetti, mother Sukey Garcetti and mother-in-law Dee Wakeland, his daughter Maya was seen holding a Hebrew bible in her hands.
The former Mayor was nominated for the same post in 2021 by President Joe Biden however, the Senate didn't confirm his nomination for two years due to concerns of some lawmakers regarding Garcetti not adequately handling allegations of sexual assault and harassment against a former senior advisor.
President Biden renominated him to the same position in January this year.
The 52-year-old's supporters argued that the geopolitical concerns were too important to leave a nation such as India without an ambassador altogether.
The US Embassy in India had been without an Ambassador since January 2021 which is the longest time in the history of US-India relations for the position to be vacant. Kenneth Juster was the last US Ambassador to India in New Delhi. However, Juster stepped down from the position after the change of government in Africa happened.