The United States Senate has confirmed Eric Garcetti, the former mayor of Los Angeles, as US ambassador to India.
Garcetti was nominated by President Joe Biden in April and was unanimously approved by the Senate on Tuesday.
Garcetti expressed his excitement to take on the role of ambassador and to work with India in a tweet.
“I’m honored to have been confirmed by the Senate as US Ambassador to India,” he wrote. “I’m ready & eager to begin this new role, and to work with our democratic partner India to strengthen the US-India partnership for the benefit of both our nations.”
Garcetti is the first Latino to serve as US ambassador to India. He will succeed Kenneth Juster, who served as ambassador from 2017 to 2021.
Garcetti is a longtime political figure in Los Angeles, having served as the city’s mayor for two terms from 2013 to 2021. He was also a member of the Los Angeles City Council from 2001 to 2013.
He is expected to take up the post in the coming weeks.