US president Joe Biden is considering appointing Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as Ambassador to India. Talking about Garcetti, he served as co-chair of Biden's campaign. In December, he said that he turned down an unspecified position in the administration to remain LA's mayor.
Meanwhile, Biden has decided to send Daniel Smith to India as his interim ambassador in the midst of the coronavirus crises in India, to enhance cooperation between the two countries. At the same time, the US State Department said that Ambassador Daniel Smith, director of the Foreign Service Institute, who recently served as caretaker foreign minister and caretaker deputy foreign minister, will leave for New Delhi to serve as interim chief of the US embassy in India.
Meanwhile, the post of US Ambassador to India has been lying vacant since January 20. Biden was sworn in as the 46th president on 20 January. The appointment to the ambassador position requires Senate confirmation. The confirmation process takes several months after being nominated for the post. At the same time, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Smith's appointment underscores America's strong commitment to partnership with the Indian government and the Indian people.
According to the American news agency, the appointment as US ambassador to India would come as the nation of 1.36 billion people deals with a spike in COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, Axios reported that Biden presented with a list of potential ambassadors in March. Meanwhile, a final decision on the appointment has not yet made.
Also Read: