Eric Garcetti, a member of the Democratic party, is all set to face the United States Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, who will decide on his ambassadorship to India. Garcetti currently serves as the mayor of California’s Los Angeles.

After being nominated by the administration of US President Joe Biden, Garcetti emphasised the potential of the Indian-America partnership, specifically in defence-related matters.

The Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee pressed on Garcetti last year in a legislative hearing, which revolved around issues like India’s purchase of Russian S-400 air defence missile systems, human rights and “democratic backsliding”, according to media reports.

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In a statement given during the Senate hearing, Garcetti said, “If confirmed, I intend to double-down on our efforts to strengthen India’s capacity to secure its borders, defend its sovereignty, and deter aggression – through information sharing, counterterrorism coordination, joint freedom of navigation patrols and military exercises and sales of our best defence technologies in order to realise the full potential of our Major Defence Partnership, according to reports from Hindustan Times.

The California-based politician further spoke about his long-standing connection with India. Garcetti, 50, spoke about the year he “graduated from college after studying Hindi and Indian cultural and religious history.” He also remembered his visit to India as a teenager.

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According to reports from ANI citing unnamed sources, the White House considers Garcetti to be a key mediator in the diplomatic relations shared by India and the United States and will be able to push back against China’s expanding influence and power.

“Should I be confirmed, I’ll bring this same energy, commitment, and love for this city to my new role and will forge partnerships and connections that will help Los Angeles,” said Garcetti in a statement, according to reports from AFP.