NEW YORK: The White House said that the US is committed to appointing Eric Garcetti as Washington's ambassador to New Delhi because of the US's significant connection with India.
On July 9, 2021, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti received President Joe Biden's nomination for the position of next envoy to India. However, the Senate has not yet confirmed his candidacy.
"We have a very significant relationship with India. When the Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi) was in Bali only last week, you saw the President greet him and have a brief meeting with him. So it's obvious that it's a significant relationship that we genuinely respect, "Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary for the White House, said on Monday. Republican senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley from Iowa have put a stop on Garcetti's candidacy, putting it on pause.
As reported by Politico, several Democrats are opposed to the President's decision "given his stated lack of awareness about sexual assault and harassment charges against a prominent aide".
"As for Mayor Garcetti, we are determined to getting him through the process. We are continuing to talk to the Senate about making that happen. That is a priority of ours," Jean-Pierre said.
Garcetti was accused of being aware of the alleged sexual misconduct of his top aide Rick Jacobs -- an allegation that he has persistently denied.
The White House's remarks come a week after Congressman Ro Khanna, an Indian-American, tweeted that it was high time the US confirmed an ambassador to India to fortify bilateral ties and national security. As its sixth temporary representative since January 2021, the Biden administration selected diplomat Elizabeth Jones as Charge d'Affaires ad interim in its embassy in India.
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