Indian Americans welcome confirmation of Eric Garcetti as United States Ambassador to India
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 17, 2023) – The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding India’s pluralist and tolerant ethos, welcomes the Senate confirmation of Eric Garcetti as the United States Ambassador to India.
On Wednesday, after almost a two-year wait, the Senate voted 52-42 to pave the way for the appointment of Mr. Garcetti, the former Los Angeles Mayor who was also on the board of Human Rights Watch as India envoy. We believe that he will be an excellent representative of the United States in India.
Mr. Garcetti’s extensive experience in politics and public service makes him an ideal candidate for this critical diplomatic position. We are confident that his leadership and commitment to public service and human rights will enable him to navigate this critical role considering the rampant persecution of religious minorities and threats of looming genocide.
In 2021, Mr. Garcetti told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that “human rights and strong democratic institutions are key elements of our strategic partnership and values enshrined in our constitutions, and if confirmed, I will engage closely and regularly with the Indian government on these issues.” He had also said that the human rights and discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) would be on top of his agenda while engaging with the Indian government.
“Mr. Garcetti’s appointment as US ambassador to India comes with a great responsibility to promote and uphold the values of human rights and religious freedoms. It is also time for the Biden administration to stand with India’s religious minorities and demand accountability from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for the atrocities committed against them,” said IAMC Executive Director Rasheed Ahmed.
“We hope that Ambassador Garcetti will live up to his promises and prioritize the protection of minorities during his tenure,” he added.
IAMC looks forward to working with Ambassador Garcetti on issues that impact the Indian religious minorities both in India and the United States.
