The issues regarding the nomination of Indian ambassador comes at a diplomatically challenging time when US President Joe Biden is trying to alienate Russia with the support of all of its allies…reports Asian Lite News
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s nomination to become the next United States ambassador to India faced another roadblock after a second Republican Senator reportedly put a hold on the nomination over questions involving what the Democratic mayor knew about sexual harassment allegations against a former top adviser in his office, media reported.
Iowa Republican Sen. Jodi Ernst said she wants “clarity” on how Garcetti handled allegations of sexual misconduct by a former aide, it was reported.
Earlier, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, said he had received “numerous credible allegations” that Garcetti was aware of sexual harassment and assaults of city employees committed by his friend and then-close adviser, but did nothing to stop the misconduct.
However, Garcetti has repeatedly denied the claims.
The issues regarding the nomination of Indian ambassador comes at a diplomatically challenging time when US President Joe Biden is trying to alienate Russia with the support of all of its allies. But, India, one of US’ major allies, is not joining the Western camp and is taking a neutral position on the Ukraine situation despite international pressure.
Garcetti is close to Biden, having been the co-chair of his election campaign committee, and had been expected to join his cabinet, but the Mayor said that he withdrew from consideration for such positions citing the city’s need for his leadership.
He is a former Navy intelligence officer and has taught international affairs at the University of Southern California, and diplomacy and world affairs at Occidental College.
Ken Juster resigned as ambassador to India in January last year following the defeat of Donald Trump, who had appointed him, and the post has been vacant since.
Fifteen of the 23 ambassadors in New Delhi have been political appointees and included distinguished personalities like former governors Richard Frank Celeste and Chester Bowles (who served twice), former members of Congress like Kenneth Keating, Sherman Cooper and William Saxbe, and public intellectuals John Kenneth Galbraith and Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who had also been a senator.