WASHINGTON DC: The former Mayor of Los Angeles was officially sworn in as the US ambassador to India on Friday. The swearing-in event was presided over by the Vice President of the country, Kamala Harris.
Eric Garcetti’s daughter Maya held the Hebrew Bible at the swearing-in ceremony for her father. His close family members attended the event. Some of them included his wife Amy Wakeland, father Gil Garcetti, mother Sukey Garcetti, and mother-in-law Dee Wakeland. Eric Garcetti expressed his eagerness to start his duties on the new diplomatic assignment. “I cannot wait to serve,” mentioned Eric Garcetti.
Eric Garcetti had been named the United States Ambassador to India earlier this month. The position had been empty for the past two years and the absence of anyone in the key diplomatic position has been a cause of concern among those knowledgeable about international affairs.
"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 had said after the formal announcement.
Joe Biden had first nominated Garcetti, once a rising star in the Democratic party, in July 2021, his first year in White House. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held his nomination hearing but did not confirm him and his nomination was deemed returned to the White House on January 3, 2022. No reasons were cited for the failure of his nomination to go through, but Garcetti had faced internal resistance from the Democratic party's progressives for his alleged soft-handling of sexual harassment allegations against a senior aide.
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