Tag: Garcetti

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US Sees India as Key Global Player in Resolving Urgent Issues

Garcetti said that the recently concluded 2+2 dialogue reflected a much more deepening of the US-India relationship…reports Asian Lite News

The US sees India not only as a strategic partner but also as a key player in the “global conversation” to help resolve urgent issues to usher in durable peace, American Ambassador Eric Garcetti said here on Monday.

Speaking on the India-US 2+2 Ministerial dialogue and the road ahead, Garcetti said that apart from the weapons that are to be sold and co-developed by the two countries, closer operational level co-operation between their militaries was a major step forward in the growing defence ties.

This will involve intelligence sharing and joint military exercises on a much larger scale in the days ahead, he added.

Garcetti said that the recently concluded 2+2 dialogue reflected a much more deepening of the US-India relationship.

He pointed out that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had made three trips to India this year and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had comes twice, which represents the unprecedented level of relations between the two countries.

Garcetti said the joint statement after the 2+2 dialogue reflects the commitment of India and US to safeguard a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific through the QUAD and other metrics.

This assumes importance in the backdrop of the aggressive geopolitical posturing in the region.

The US will stand together with its strategic partner India, Garcetti said, when asked about the recent talks between President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

“The operational level cooperation of our militaries, which I think is as critical as any equipment, and our countries discuss ways to deepen our science and our technology partnerships to harness technology with the global good instead of technology that harms us than divides us, we need technology that can connect us and protect us,” he added.

The envoy also said the US-India 2+2 dialogue discussed the “tragic humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, reiterating their stand with Israel against terrorism, but also seeking to alleviate civilian suffering and adherence to international humanitarian law.”

Talking about the US investments in India, Garcetti said that they were looking forward to welcoming more visitors in December, and around January for major investments in Indian technology by US private sector companies. Investments in semiconductors and other such industrial ventures have to be taken up directly with the investing companies.

The government is there only to facilitate such investments.

“Government to government conversations are expanding round space, defence, production well,” he added.

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US Ambassador Announces Swift Visa Processing in India

Former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.(File Photo: Wikimedia)

Garcetti said the number of US visas that were being issued in India had gone up by one-third in recent weeks as part of the stepped up drive to clear the backlog…reports Asian Lite News

The US is accelerating the pace of issuing visas in India with more staff joining its Hyderabad consulate and new consulates to open up in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad soon, Washington’s Ambassador to New Delhi Eric Garcetti said here on Monday.

“Some more people have already joined the Hyderabad consulate as we are increasing the staff strength in the city and premises are being taken up in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad for setting up new consulates,” Garcetti said.

He said that he had a look at the new premises that the US is taking up to establish a consulate in Ahmedabad during his trip to the city to watch the India-Australia World Cup cricket final on Sunday.

Garcetti said the number of US visas that were being issued in India had gone up by one-third in recent weeks as part of the stepped up drive to clear the backlog.

The US ambassador said the waiting time for US visas for students and tourists had come down and it ranged from six months to a year depending on which office the application was made.

However, the US was focused on expediting the issuing of visas to Indian nationals.

He also said that the problem of delay was due to the large number of applicants that was on the rise so it was difficult to spell out the exact time lag.

This problem was also there in other large countries like Brazil and Mexico, he added.

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Proud to see US, India working together for peaceful world, says Garcetti

The US envoy was attending the plenary session of ‘Swavlamban 2.0’, a two-day seminar of Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO), which commenced in the national capital on Wednesday…reports Asian Lite News

The US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, on Wednesday, said the “great minds” back in his homeland and India can find more paths to peace.

“I’m so proud to see the United States of America and India working together for a more peaceful world. But we have to innovate. The world is changing more in the next five or 10 years than it’s changed in the last 100 years. But the great minds in India and the great minds in United States can work to find more paths to peace,” he said.

The US envoy was attending the plenary session of ‘Swavlamban 2.0’, a two-day seminar of Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO), which commenced in the national capital on Wednesday.

Referring to the growing global challenges, Garcetti cited the presence of the US and India’s chief of staff at the Indo-Pacific army chiefs’ conference in the national capital, saying that both countries are cooperating with each other and strengthening bilateral ties for a “safer tomorrow”.

“Today this challenge that we put forward on oil spills on our undersea domain really means that we can show not just our own countries a safer tomorrow, but the entire world. And well last week when we had the army Chiefs of Staff here this week when we have Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and of course, in desex coming together, it shows that the sky’s the limit and we’re going to keep going together,” he said.

In the event, two INDUS X challenges under ‘INDUS-X Mutual Promotion of Advanced Collaborative Technologies’ (IMPACT) challenges, jointly finalised by iDEX and the United States Department of Defense (US DoD), were launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) was launched at an event in Washington DC, on June 21, this year. The INDUS X event was co-organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Ministry of Defence, and US Department of Defence (DoD) and was hosted by the US-India Business Council (USIBC), according to a release by the Ministry of Defence.

“This relationship grows more and more. It takes my breath away. But I think most importantly, for the average Indian and the average American they need to know these meetings are about their safety, about their future and about showing that India can produce here for the world. And America is ready to be its partner,” the US envoy said.

During the G20 meeting in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden held discussions on the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X).

The purpose of the INDUS X launch was co-development and co-production of advanced technologies by Indian and American start-ups with the involvement of both the governments along with businesses, and academic institutions for strategic technology partnership and defence industrial cooperation. (ANI)

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Garcetti: India’s partnership crucial for free & prosperous Indo-Pacific

Garcetti expressed his gratitude towards US President Joe Biden for appointing him as the 26th Ambassador to India…reports Asian Lite News

United States Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, on Thursday, said that New Delhi’s partnership is the key to a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific and beyond.

After President Droupadi Murmu accepted the credentials, Garcetti, in a video message said, “The world’s oldest and largest democracies, two nations that believe in our hearts about the power of people, have a great chapter to write together in the years ahead. India’s partnership is the key to a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific and beyond.” “And I’m excited to work with you to ensure we advance this defining relationship of the 21st century. Together, we will address global health challenges, confront climate change, and deliver the next generation of critical and emerging technologies to improve the lives of our people. I couldn’t be more excited to be here in India and to make this our new home and to work alongside you. Together we will show the world how the United States and India are better together.,” he added.

Garcetti expressed his gratitude towards US President Joe Biden for appointing him as the 26th Ambassador to India.

Talking about himself, Garcetti said that while being Mayor, he connected with the world and the world by modernizing the infrastructure, confronting climate change, exporting Hollywood movies, and winning the Paralympic and Olympic Games, which the US will host in 2028.

“In Los Angeles, we have a thriving Indian American diaspora and deep educational, cultural, and economic ties with Indians. You know, I first came here to India when I was just 14 years old, and the India that I saw and the Indians that I met immediately captured my heart. During that trip, I learned how deeply we are connected to one another, no matter where we live, what language we speak, how much money we have, or how we worship,” the US envoy said.

“Over the years, I returned to India, and as a student, I studied the language, culture, and history of this remarkable country. And as I return to India now to make it my new home for me and my family, that early understanding is an integral part of my life. So if you see me in the park or at a cricket match enjoying some chai in a movie theatre, come say hi. I can’t wait to meet you. And I believe that our two countries, with the talent and energy of our peoples, can and will accomplish so much together,” he added.

Earlier, Garcetti and envoys of Qatar and the Principality of Monaco on Thursday presented their credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

“The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu accepted credentials from the Ambassadors of the United States of America, Qatar and Monaco at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today,” a Rashtrapati Bhavan release said. (ANI)

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Garcetti confirmed as India envoy

Former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.(File Photo: Wikimedia)

President Biden had first nominated him in July 2021, but it did not proceed and it was technically deemed as returned to the White House, to either be re-sent or replaced…writes Yashwant Raj

Eric Garcetti was confirmed as the next US Ambassador to India on Wednesday, ending a logjam that had left an important American mission abroad without a regular envoy for almost two years and his fate in the balance.

The US Senate confirmed him in a 52-42 vote with cross-voting from both parties, with several Democrats voting against Garcetti, a nominee of the Democratic President Joe Biden, and several Republicans siding voting for him.

Garcetti, a former Mayor of Los Angeles, was once a rising star in the Democratic party, but had had come under severe criticism lately for ignoring complaints of sexual harassment against one of senior aides. His nomination had been stalled over these allegations, which came up during his confirmation hearing.

President Biden had first nominated him in July 2021, but it did not proceed and it was technically deemed as returned to the White House, to either be re-sent or replaced.

The Biden White House sent back the nomination this January when the new congress went into session, demonstrating the administration’s unwavering backing for him, which, it was noted, will hold him in good stead by those who may tend to consider him damaged because of the protracted fight over his confirmation.

US President Joe Biden, left, has nominated Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to be the US ambassador to India. (File Photo: LA Mayor)

Garcetti’s re-nomination had run into fresh trouble in February when Republican Senator Marco Rubio announced a hold on it along with a bunch of others, including Rich Verma, who has been named to be a Deputy Secretary of State, and Geeta Rao Gupta as Ambassador at large for global women’s issues.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted 13-8 to approve his nomination last week, setting up a vote by the full 100-member senate.

With Garcetti’s nomination stalled and the Biden administration refusing to name a nomination, observers of the bilateral relationship wondered if this was a manifestation of a deeper problem between India and US, because this was possibly the longest America has not had an ambassador in New Delhi.

This prolonged period of no-ambassador also coincided with extraordinary delays in issuance of US visas in India, with the waiting period for first-time applicants for business and tourism visas reaching two years at its worst (it’s been cut down considerably now).

Relations between the two countries were in an overdrive with President Biden putting the Quad front and centre of his Indo-Pacific strategy early in his administration, resulting in several virtual and in-person meetings bilaterally with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and multilaterally, with counterparts from Japan and Australia.

At his confirmation hearing, Garcetti had vowed to “double-down on our efforts to strengthen India’s capacity to secure its borders, defend its sovereignty, and deter aggression” — music to ears on Raisina Hill but he also plans to raise thorny issues such as the Indian purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence missile system, human rights, and democratic values.

Garcetti was once widely expected to run for White House, given his credentials: Hispanic descent, top Democratic operative, a top operative in a presidential campaign, Rhodes scholar at Oxford and alumnus of London School of Economics. Fifty one-year-old Garcetti is close to the White House and was once considered a potential member of the Biden cabinet but the same allegations that came up during his confirmation hearing had come in his way.

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Garcetti’s nomination as US envoy to India advances

Garcetti, the Mayor of Los Angeles, and Blome had appeared before the Committee in December for a hearing at which they outlined their agendas as ambassadors and answered questions from Senators…reports Asian Lite News

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved the nomination of Eric Garcetti to be the US Ambassador to India, a position that has been vacant for almost a year.

The nomination will now go to the full Senate where a vote is likely soon as Republican Senator Ted Cruz has lifted his procedural hold on nominations that he placed because of his differences with President Joe Biden on a gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.

The committee also approved the nomination of Donald Armin Blome to be the envoy to Pakistan.

Garcetti, the Mayor of Los Angeles, and Blome had appeared before the Committee in December for a hearing at which they outlined their agendas as ambassadors and answered questions from Senators.

But they were not included in the group of about 30 nominations of Ambassadors approved by the full Senate with a voice vote last month.

The Senate Committee had to approve the nominations of Garcetti, Blome and others, including Amy Guttman as Ambassador to Germany, once again on Wednesday as the earlier vote lapsed when the Senate session ended at the end of the year.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Bob Menendez said: “I believe they are all well qualified and deserving of their nominations. I will be voting for them and look forward to their swift confirmation.”

Even as India’s relations with the US has advanced during Biden’s first year in office, the Ambassador’s position has been vacant since January last year when Ken Juster resigned following the defeat of Donald Trump who had appointed him.

Faced with growing aggressive behaviour by China, Biden has focused on the Indo-Pacific region, where New Delhi has a key role, advancing the Quad, the four-member group of India, the US, Japan and Australia, and convening its first summit.

Menendez said: “Prolonged vacancies are not in our interest. They undermine our national security, hinder our leadership role abroad and benefit only are at the service training to the nominees we are considering today.”

Cruz had been blocking most Ambassador nominations using procedural manoeuvres because of a dispute with Biden over sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that Russia is building to Germany, but relaxed the hold last month.

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