Garcetti's appointment comes at a critical moment for the India-US relationship, which has grown steadily over the past two decades across multiple domains. The two countries share common interests and values on issues such as democracy, counter-terrorism, climate change, trade and investment, regional security and Indo-Pacific cooperation. They are also part of the Quad grouping with Japan and Australia that seeks to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
However, there are also challenges and opportunities that require active engagement and leadership from both sides. The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities and interdependencies of the global health system and highlighted the need for greater collaboration on vaccine production and distribution. The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan has created new uncertainties and risks for regional stability and counter-terrorism efforts. The rise of China as a strategic competitor and an assertive actor poses serious challenges for both India and the US in terms of maintaining a balance of power and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.
In this context, Garcetti's role as the US ambassador to India will be crucial in advancing the bilateral partnership and addressing common concerns. He brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise that can benefit both countries. As the mayor of Los Angeles since 2013, he oversaw one of the largest and most diverse cities in America, with strong ties to India in terms of culture, business, education and innovation. He also served as an intelligence officer in the US Navy Reserve Component for 12 years, including stints with the Pacific Fleet and the Defence Intelligence Agency. He was instrumental in leading LA's successful bid to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, demonstrating his vision and ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
Garcetti is also known as a loyalist of President Biden, who has made strengthening relations with India a priority for his administration. He was one of Biden's earliest supporters during his presidential campaign and served as his co-chairman along with Senator Kamala Harris. He shares Biden's commitment to restoring America's global leadership role based on democratic values, multilateralism and human rights.
Garcetti will have to work closely with his Indian counterpart Taranjit Singh Sandhu. The two ambassadors will have to navigate some thorny issues that could potentially strain bilateral ties, such as trade disputes, human rights concerns, defense procurement decisions, visa policies and sanctions regimes. They will also have to coordinate their efforts on regional and global platforms such as the UN Security Council (where both countries are currently non-permanent members), G20 (where both countries will host summits this year), COP26 (where both countries have pledged ambitious climate action) and Quad (where both countries are expected to deepen their cooperation on various initiatives).
The confirmation of Garcetti as US ambassador to India after 20 months is a welcome development that signals Washington's recognition of New Delhi's importance as a strategic partner. It also opens up new possibilities for enhancing bilateral cooperation on shared interests and challenges. Garcetti will have to hit the ground running and build trust and rapport with his Indian counterparts, as well as civil society, media, business and cultural leaders. He will have to leverage his skills and experience to advance the common agenda of both countries, while respecting their differences and sensitivities. He will have to demonstrate his commitment to strengthening democracy, security, prosperity, innovation, and diversity.