According to US business leaders, Eric Garcetti's appointment as the US ambassador to India would aid in achieving crucial objectives in economic resilience at a time when both nations are seeking to develop their Quad cooperation and high-trust environment supported by shared democratic ideals.
After an extraordinary wait of more than two years, US senators confirmed the former mayor of Los Angeles to the position on Wednesday by a vote of 52 to 42.
“I have no doubt that Eric will get started right away in Delhi because of his profound grasp of and love for India and the Indian people. Eric has the humility of a great leader who strives to advance and make a difference all the time. Mukesh Aghi, head of the US India Strategy and Partnership Forum, described him as as being a big-picture person.
Garcetti, who served as mayor of Los Angeles, one of the world's most dynamic cities, is aware that collaboration with all parties is crucial to advancing the US-India cooperation, the most important relationship of the 21st century, he added.
“The connection between the US and India is a bipartisan goal. Starting with the Quad Summit, a prospective State visit, and a list of G-20 events, we have a lot to get done in 2023 and beyond. The USISPF is happy to support Ambassador Garcetti in his new position and wishes him the best of luck, according to Aghi.
The US India Business Council congratulated Garcetti on his appointment as the next US ambassador to India and said that the business sector was happy to see the US Senate approve the President's choice for this crucial position.
The Senate's confirmation of Eric Garcetti as the US Ambassador to India has been welcomed by the US India Business Council. India is a crucial ally for the United States as it works to strengthen its strategic, scientific, and economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific, according to Atul Keshap, president of USIBC. India is also the biggest democracy and largest economy in the world.
I hope Ambassador Garcetti has a productive assignment in New Delhi. As two big democracies continue to develop their Quad alliance and high-trust environment, supported by shared democratic ideals, having a US ambassador in India is essential, the official added.
Alexander Slater, managing director of the USIBC, also congratulated Garcetti on his new position.
We wholeheartedly endorse the nomination of a US ambassador to India and are certain that Ambassador Garcetti will be an excellent leader in the role.
Under his leadership, “our team looks forward to continue our close interaction with the US Embassy, particularly on critical drivers of the bilateral relationship like the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies,” he added.
According to him, President Biden's choice of Garcetti as ambassador sends a critical message to the Indian government, people, and business communities about the value he placed on the US-India relationship.
He stated that the USIBC will cooperate with him and the Indian government to fortify their bilateral strategic and economic connections and advance a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
The confirmation comes at a crucial moment for the US-India relationship, according to Shreerupa Mitra, the deputy managing director of the USIBC. This year, India will hold the G20 presidency for the first time.
India “has a worldwide role to play in strengthening supply chains and attaining sustainable development objectives as a crucial source of high-skilled personnel and a burgeoning centre for high-value manufacturing,” she added.
Eric Garcetti's appointment as the US ambassador to India, if confirmed, “would put crucial focus and energy to these initiatives, eventually aiding both our nations in achieving crucial objectives in decarbonisation, human development, and economic resilience,” Mitra added.
From July 2021, when US President Joseph Biden proposed Garcetti for the coveted diplomatic position, his candidature has been pending before the US Congress.
As the US changed governments in January 2021, Kenneth Juster, the last ambassadorial resident of the US in New Delhi, resigned.
