The move underscores the importance of the US-India relationship, which is expected to be a key priority for the Biden administration…reports Asian Lite News
The White House has announced that US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, will take the lead in strengthening cooperation between the two countries. The efforts will focus on the defence and economic sectors, as well as critical and emerging technologies.
Speaking at a press conference, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that President Biden considers the US-India relationship to be one of the most consequential partnerships for the US in the world.
Jean-Pierre noted that Ambassador Garcetti will be spearheading ambitious initiatives to expand defence cooperation, deepen economic ties, and enhance people-to-people connections between the two nations.
The move underscores the importance of the US-India relationship, which is expected to be a key priority for the Biden administration.
Two weeks ago, Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Ambassador Garcetti immediate priorities in deepening India, US bilateral partnership.
“Congratulated @ericgarcetti on his swearing-in as the Ambassador of US to India. As he prepares to depart for India, we discussed some immediate priorities in deepening the bilateral partnership, in line with our Leaders’ vision. Look forward to working with Eric,” Sandhu tweeted on Saturday. Former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was on Friday sworn in by US Vice President Kamala Harris as the new US Ambassador to India.
Garcetti during the oath-taking ceremony, said: “I Eric M. Garcetti, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter.”
Harris then congratulated Garcetti upon the assumption of his duties.
The Senate on March 15 (Local Time) confirmed the former mayor of Los Angeles, Eris Garcetti, to be the US ambassador to India.
Garcetti won the mandate by a vote of 52 to 42, a major victory for US President Joe Biden as well, who stuck by his political ally in the face of the allegations and the prolonged process that has left the world’s most populous democracies without US representatives.
After the result, Garcetti said in a statement, “I’m thrilled with today’s outcome, which was a decisive and bipartisan decision to fill a critical post that has been vacant for far too long. Now the hard work begins.”
“I’m deeply grateful to President Biden and the White House for the confidence and support throughout this process, and to all Senators on both sides of the aisle – whether they voted for me or not – for their thoughtful consideration. I’m ready and eager to begin my service representing our critical interests in India,” he added. (with inputs from ANI)