On March 3, 2021, President Joe Biden announced his intention to nominate Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to serve as the United States ambassador to India. If confirmed by the Senate, Garcetti will become the first American of Mexican heritage to serve in such a capacity.
Garcetti has had a long history of involvement with the Indian-American community, having served as a board member at the Indian American Leadership Initiative and visiting India in 2019 to explore renewable energy partnerships between Los Angeles and Indian cities. He also has experience with public diplomacy and international relations, having served as a member of the United States Conference of Mayors’ International Affairs Committee.
Garcetti’s nomination is expected to be widely welcomed by Indian American advocacy groups, as well as members of the Indian diaspora in the United States. His nomination will add to the growing list of high-level officials from the Indian-American community who are serving in the Biden administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Vivek Murthy.