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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 25, 2022 | The Indian Eye 27

Congressman Ro Khanna says it is time

to confirm ambassador to India

OUR BUREAU In July 2021, US President Joe
Biden had nominated Los Angeles
WASHINGTON, DC
Mayor Eric Garcetti as his Ambassa-
t is time to confirm a US Am- dor to India. But because of the alle-
bassador to India, a top Indi- gation of sexual assault by one of his
Ian-American Congressman said senior staffers, the Democrats have
Monday noting that for nearly two been unable to muster enough sup-
years now there has been no Amer- port in the Senate. As a result, they
ican envoy in New Delhi. “The US are reluctant to bring the nomination
needs a strong defense and strategic to vote to the Senate floor.
partnership with India, especially in Only last week, the White House
the face of escalating aggression from had exuded confidence that Garcetti
China,” Indian-American Congress- would be confirmed by the Senate.
man Ro Khanna said, according to a Desai said the 20-month vacancy
PTI report. constitutes the longest stretch Wash-
“Two years into this adminis- ington has been without an ambassa-
tration, it’s time to confirm an am- dor in Delhi in the history of US-India
bassador to India to strengthen this diplomatic ties, a dubious milestone.
critical relationship and our national “By failing to confirm Garcetti,
security,” Khanna said in a tweet as he politicians in the Senate have de-
shared a recent op-ed on this issue by prived the United States of an es-
the Washington Post. Biden’s executive branch nominees The Post, 124 of the President’s nomi- sential instrument for shaping our
The op-ed by Ronak Desai, an — for domestic posts as well as diplo- nees have yet to be confirmed. relationship with this indispensable
associate at the Lakshmi Mittal and matic ones — languish in the Senate, “The reason is simple: The po- partner. The cascade of internation-
Family South Asia Institute at Har- awaiting confirmation. litical dysfunction affecting so many al crises upending the international
vard University, writes that the inabil- According to the Biden Political areas of American political life is un- order underscores the importance of
ity to fill this vital post is just one small Appointee Tracker maintained by the dermining the Senate confirmation preserving and strengthening foreign
part of a broader failure. Dozens of Partnership for Public Service and process,” Desai wrote. relations with India,” Desai wrote.

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