The US will look to further strengthen its ties with India including defence and economic sectors during newly appointed ambassador to New Delhi Eric Garcetti’s tenure, the White House has said.
“Ambassador Garcetti will be leading an ambitious effort to deepen our cooperation with India in critical and emerging technologies, expand our defense cooperation, and strengthen our economic and people-to-people ties,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said late Tuesday in Washington. She also said “The president has said, when we look at relationship with India, it’s one of most consequential relationships that America has in world. That still stands,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. “So, it’s an important relationship that president sees,” Jean-Pierre added. Garcetti, the former Mayor of Los Angeles, was officially sworn in as US Ambassador to India on March 24 by Vice President Kamala Harris during a ceremonial event here.
The US Senate confirmed 52-year-old Garcetti’s nomination earlier last month, ending a protracted hiatus of over two years to fill key diplomatic position. Garcetti’s nomination was pending before US Congress since July 2021 when he was nominated by President Joe Biden. Garcetti, who is now headed to New Delhi this month, was not confirmed by the Senate in President Biden’s first two years in office amid concerns by some lawmakers that he had not adequately handled allegations of sexual assault and harassment against a former senior adviser.