Eric Garcetti was nominated for the post by Biden over two years ago but the Senate had blocked his name over allegations against his aide while he was Los Angeles Mayor. The post in New Delhi has been lying vacant since then. Biden renominated him last January and the Senate approved his posting a week ago.

WASHINGTON, DC, March 26: Former Mayor of Los Angeles and President Joe Biden's favourite Eric Garcetti was officially sworn in as the US Ambassador to India by Vice-President Kamala Harris at a ceremonial event in Washington, DC, on Friday.

The ceremony took place at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, located next to the West Wing of the White House.

Eric Garcetti was nominated for the post by Biden over two years ago after he became the President but the Senate had blocked his name over certain allegations relating to his previous office as Mayor. Biden renominated him to the same position in January this year and the Senate approved his name on March 15 last. The post lay vacant for the longest ever period. Kenneth Juster the last envoy, had left after change of Government in Washington, DC, in 2021.

Garcetti will travel to India "Hopefully as soon as I can." "It feels great. Can't wait to serve," Garcetti, 52, said, after the swearing-in. "I'm so honoured the Vice-President did this," he said.

Kamala Harris and Eric Garcetti both are Californians and of mixed race. Harris is of Indian and Jamaican origin while Garcetti is Jewish and Mexican American.

Garcetti's daughter Maya held the Hebrew Bible during the swearing-in ceremony. The event was attended by Garcetti's wife Amy Wakeland, father Gil Garcetti, mother Sukey Garcetti and mother-in-law Dee Wakeland. Douglas Emhoff the Second Gentleman of the United States and Kamala Harris' husband, also attended the event.

"Today, I had the honour of swearing in my fellow Californian, Eric Garcetti, to be our next Ambassador to India. Ambassador Garcetti is a committed public servant and will play a critical role in strengthening our partnership with the people of India," Kamala Harris tweeted.

Indian Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu met Garcetti after the ceremony.

Garcetti's nomination delayed over charges

Garcetti previously served as Los Angeles' 42nd mayor from 2013 to 2022. He was the youngest mayor in over 100 years.

The Senate had approved Garcetti's nomination on March 15 with a vote of 52-42. Seven Republicans voted for him while three Democrats voted against him, supporting the charges levelled against him while he was mayor.

The GOP Senators who voted to confirm Garcetti are Bill Cassidy, La.; Roger Marshall, Kan.; Lindsey Graham, S.C.; Steve Daines, Mont.; Susan Collins, Maine; Bill Hagerty, Tenn.; and Todd Young, Ind. Democrats Mark Kelly, D- Ariz., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio and Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, 39 Republicans voted against Garcetti.

Garcetti's nomination was earlier rejected by the Senate. Biden first nominated Garcetti in July 2021. Upon renomination by Biden in January this year, the committee recently cleared his name. Garcetti had become controversial when charges were raised against him that he ignored harassment allegations against one of his aides, his chief of staff Rick Jacobs, while he was mayor.

Senior Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa had conducted an investigation last year into the matter which concluded that Garcetti "likely knew, or should have known, that his former senior adviser was sexually harassing and making racist remarks toward multiple individuals."

Biden had asserted Garcetti is "well qualified to serve in this vital role."

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