Mayor Garcetti’s close political ties to President Biden and his experience in the national and international arenas present a welcome opportunity for the diaspora to work together to continue bridging US-India ties
San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC — March 15, 2023 — Indiaspora, a nonprofit organization of global Indian diaspora leaders, expressed enthusiasm Wednesday for the Biden administration’s announcement of the nomination of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to the post of U.S Ambassador to India.
As the Mayor of Los Angeles, the United States’ second largest city, Garcetti would bring valuable political and administrative experience to the role. A close political confidante of President Biden who served as a Co-chair of his campaign in 2020, Garcetti also would have the President’s ear.
“The Senate’s confirmation of Eric Garcetti as Ambassador to India comes at an opportune time as India gears up to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year. Ambassador Garcetti’s track record, past international experience, as well as his close personal relationship with President Biden, will all serve as assets as he takes up his new role.” said founder of Indiaspora MR Rangaswami, a Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur and investor, about Garcetti’s confirmation. “The priorities he has outlined for his new role – from climate change to city-to-city ties to collaboration with India on COVID-19 to bolstering U.S.-India ties in promotion of a free and open Indo-Pacific – will only serve to further strengthen ties with India.”
Garcetti has a range of international experience, having lived and worked in Asia as well as Europe and Africa. A Rhodes’ Scholar, he has served as Los Angeles’ first Deputy Mayor for International Affairs, where he expanded L.A. ‘s global ties to bring more jobs, economic opportunity, culture, education, and visitors to the city, according to Los Angeles’ government website. His few trips to India a long time ago have inspired him to study Hindi and Urdu in college, as well as Indian and Cultural Religious History.
“On behalf of Indiaspora, I am delighted that the Senate has confirmed Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as Ambassador to India,” said Executive Director of Indiaspora Sanjeev Joshipura. “As a close and trusted ally of President Biden, mayor of America’s second largest city, and a wide range of international experiences, Mayor Garcetti is well poised take forward the relationship between the oldest and largest democracy, particularly as the Biden administration has made ties with India a key focus of its Indo-Pacific strategy and broader foreign policy. We are looking forward to working with now-Ambassador Garcetti’s leadership in this critical role.”