Eric Garcetti Archives - Lokmarg

India Has Demonstrated Most Successful G20 Ever: US Ambassador Garcetti

By LokMarg 26th September 2023

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Tuesday said India has demonstrated the most successful G20 ever.

“India’s marvellous growth, its rapid rise, its leadership in the world today has demonstrated the most successful G20 we have ever seen,” the US Ambassador said.

Garcetti was addressing the 20th Indo-US Economic Summit “Sharing ideas & Potential for sustainable partnership between India and the US for the next 25 years” organized by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC).

Garcetti while speaking on India-US ties, said: “The goal that we should be establishing, I think, together, is, how can we be more ambitious. Not just settle for another deal, not just settle for, as we’ve done just in the last few months, bringing down the retaliatory tariffs and the trade disputes between our countries. That’s not good enough. I think we need to close our eyes and dream of what this relationship can be like even more than we would imagine today. “

The US Ambassador congratulated India on ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission.

He said: “Congratulations on a marvellous space year here in India. Landing on the dark side of the moon, doing something that only four nations have done before and doing it so beautifully, so reasonably and so successfully. But now we’re looking at commercial space together.”

The US Ambassador on Tuesday reiterated that the United States cares deeply about its relationship with both India and Canada.

His comments come amidst heightened tensions between India and Canada after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged that there was an Indian hand behind the killing of Khalistani operative Hardeep Nijjar.

“We care about both countries, and we care about their relationship. Our relationship is rock solid with both of them. And I think that all of us need to make sure that we can come together as countries that take seriously sovereignty, take seriously security, and take seriously the potential of our relationship,” the US Ambassador said. (ANI)

Wait Time For First-Time Tourist Visa Reduced: US Ambassador

By LokMarg 28th June 2023

United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, on Wednesday, said that the wait time for first-time tourist visa interviews has been reduced by more than 50 per cent, adding that goal for 2023 is to process at least one million visas.

Speaking at IIT Delhi, Garcetti highlighted the progress made in visa processing, stating that the US Mission in India is currently processing visas faster than ever before.
Addressing the audience at IIT Delhi, Garcetti said, “We’re already doing this. We’re currently processing more visas, faster, than the US Mission in India ever has before. We have set a goal for ourselves to process at least a million visas in 2023, and we’re already more than halfway towards reaching that goal.”

“Our investments have brought real results, and we’ve seen wait times for first-time tourist visa interviews fall by more than 50 per cent,” he added.

To remove barriers that hinder qualified travelers from experiencing the United States, Garcetti emphasized the need to expand operations.

The US Ambassador said that they will continue to invest in expanding the visa operations and broadening the team.

“We’ll find innovative solutions to streamline the visa process, such as reducing the need for in-person interviews, which allows consular teams around the world to assist in processing visas for the growing number of Indian travellers,” the envoy said.

India and US are doing every bit of effort to make the visa process smooth and in that process, recently, during his interaction with the Indian community in the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Indian professionals can renew their work visas without travelling abroad.

“America’s new consulates will be opened in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. It has now been decided that the H1B visa renewal can be done in the US itself,” PM Modi said while addressing the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC.

India is going to open a new consulate in Seattle this year. Apart from this, Indian Consulates will be opened in 2 more cities in America.

“Together we are not just forming policies and agreements, we are shaping lives, dreams and destinies,” said PM Modi.

Meanwhile, at the IIT Delhi, Garcetti praised India and said that the country is improving lives and pulling people out of poverty through its transformative technology.

“Our countries (India and US) have so much in common because the Indian dream and the American dream are two sides of the same coin- we share the same vision. Our people want to achieve success for our communities and our families. We embrace possibility, new opportunities, new knowledge, and the chance to make a difference. We want to leave the world better off and more secure than we found it – not just for ourselves and our own countries, but for everyone,” the Ambassador said.

“Our connection is very personal, based on affinity and friendship. We’re linked by a diaspora community more than four million strong. Through educational and business connections, and an appreciation for each other’s cultures, our friendship grows along with our shared experience and shared ambitions,” he added.

Giving examples of its strong relationship with India, Garcetti said that last year one out of every five US student visas issued worldwide went to an Indian student, and over 200,000 Indians are studying in America. (ANI)

US Envoy Garcetti Praises Modi’s Leadership

By LokMarg 23rd May 2023

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Tuesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and “transformative policies” initiated by his government and said the two countries are increasing their collaboration around critical emerging technologies.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the US-India 5G and Next Generation Networks Workshop, Garcetti said 5G presents a fantastic opportunity to collaborate towards an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem, built on shared values and shared systems.
“India is in such wonderful hands. With your leadership, with the transformative policies that you and this administration are implementing together with the public sector and private sector and with that community aspect that defines everything that is part of India’s rise right now. This is the most exciting nexus in the world, The US-India relationship is where it is at,” he said.

The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is hosting the workshop. US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti and Department of Telecommunications Secretary K Rajaraman kicked off the workshop with over 150 senior Indian and US government and private sector participants.

The event is being attended by leading industry experts and officials to exchange information on approaches, solutions and applications of 5G and next-generation networks in India and highlight new opportunities for US-India technical and commercial cooperation in the sector and expand strategic technology partnership, an important element of the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

Garcetti said 5G is an important part of the United States’ and India’s shared efforts to build a resilient economy for now and for the future.

“To foster an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem, we must ensure that our shared values fuel our shared decisions. Events like today’s workshop allow us to build mutual trust and confidence, allowing us to turn ideas into action.”

Sharing his recent experience at Select USA Summit, he talked about the growing US-India relations as it had the largest Indian delegation.

“The biggest number one delegation, first time in history came from right here in India. Over 240 different business delegations, some of whom are here today, who made the trip, who travelled from all parts of India in everything from steel and precious metals to looking at real estate, investments, technology, telecoms, agriculture, we saw a profound desire for our people to come together even more closely. And that’s really what we’re talking about here today,” he said.

Speaking on the upcoming visit of PM Modi to the US, he talked about technology cooperation between the two countries.

“Our National Security Advisor is in preparation for the visit of the Prime Minister for a State visit next month to Washington,DC – collaborating intensely around critical emerging technologies…It’s technology that connects, protects and detects. We know that the backbone of this is 5G.”

PM Narendra Modi will embark on an official state visit to the US on June 22. During his visit, PM Modi will be hosted by US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at a state dinner at the White House.

In a a tweet later, Garcetti said 5G & Next Generation Networks workshop would advance a key component of the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical Emerging Technology (iCET)

“I am so excited to attend the U.S.-India 5G & Next Generation Networks workshop to advance a key component of the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical Emerging Technology (iCET)! 5G presents a fantastic opportunity to collaborate towards an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem, built on shared values and shared systems. Looking forward to #USIndia technical and commercial cooperation in this transformative sector,” he said. (ANI)

US Envoy Eric Garcetti Meets SRK

By LokMarg 17th May 2023

Newly appointed Ambassador of the United States (US) to India Eric Garcetti on Tuesday met Shah Rukh Khan at the actor’s residence ‘Mannat’ in Mumbai, and discussed Bollywood and it’s “huge cultural impact” across the globe.

Garcetti took to Twitter to share about his visit to King Khan’s mansion. “Is it time for my Bollywood debut? Had a wonderful chat with superstar @iamsrk at his residence Mannat, learning more about the film industry in Mumbai and discussing the huge cultural impact of Hollywood and Bollywood across the globe,” the US Envoy said in a tweet.

Alongside this fun caption, Garcetti also shared pictures with SRK where he can be seen posing for the camera. In another picture, Garcetti holds a yellow colour football in hand while he is surrounded by Shah Rukh’s manager Pooja Dadlani and his wife Gauri Khan.

‘Pathaan’ actor can be spotted dressed in a full-sleeve black t-shirt paired with black pant and a golf cap to heat up the casual look.

Garcetti’s Mumbai visit comes a day after he visited ‘Sabarmati Ashram’ in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, where locals welcomed him with garlands. He greeted people there with the traditional “Namaste”.

Earlier on May 11, Garcetti and envoys of Qatar and the Principality of Monaco presented their credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

“The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu accepted credentials from the Ambassadors of the United States of America, Qatar and Monaco at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today,” a Rashtrapati Bhavan release said.

After President Droupadi Murmu accepted the credentials, Garcetti, in a video message said, “The world’s oldest and largest democracies, two nations that believe in our hearts about the power of people, have a great chapter to write together in the years ahead. India’s partnership is the key to a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific and beyond.”

“And I’m excited to work with you to ensure we advance this defining relationship of the 21st century. Together, we will address global health challenges, confront climate change, and deliver the next generation of critical and emerging technologies to improve the lives of our people. I couldn’t be more excited to be here in India and to make this our new home and to work alongside you. Together we will show the world how the United States and India are better together.,” he added.

Garcetti expressed his gratitude towards US President Joe Biden for appointing him as the 26th Ambassador to India.

Garcetti, former mayor of Los Angeles, was sworn in by US Vice President Kamala Harris as the new US Ambassador to India in March this year. Earlier, the Senate confirmed his appointment as the next US ambassador to India. (ANI)

Biden Re-Nominates Eric Garcetti As US Ambassador To India

By LokMarg 4th January 2023

United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday renominated Eric Garcetti, the former Mayor of Los Angeles, as an ambassador to India, the White House said after sending the nomination to the Senate.

In the statement, the White House said, “Eric M Garcetti, of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of India.”
Earlier, in December, the White House updated Mayor Garcetti’s nomination as ambassador to India update and said that they hoped that the full senate would confirm.

For more than a year, Garcetti’s nomination to be US ambassador to India – announced in July 2021 – is still in limbo. His nomination has been held up for months because of concerns among senators on both sides about allegations that he ignored alleged sexual harassment and bullying by one of his former senior political aides. Garcetti has repeatedly denied that he ignored those allegations, according to CNN.

Finally, in January last year, Garcetti’s nomination was announced.

In November, Pierre reaffirmed the Biden administration’s commitment to getting through the nomination of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as US ambassador to India.

Answering a question whether the White House will push the US Senate to finally get a vote on Garcetti’s nomination, Jean-Pierre said, “Absolutely. India is a very important relationship that we have. You — you saw the President greet and meet very briefly with Prime Minister Modi just last week when he was — in Bali. It’s an important relationship that — that we truly respect.”

“As for Mayor Garcetti, we are committed to getting him through the process. We are continuing — to talk to the Senate about making that happen. That is a priority of ours. And I just don’t have anything further to share on any strategy or anything else moving forward on that,” the White House Press Secretary added.

The United States continues to seek the expeditious confirmation of the Los Angeles Mayor, as the ambassador to India, following a long delay in the confirmation of his nomination.

Last year, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmed the nomination of Garcetti to be the US Ambassador to India. However, the nomination needed to be confirmed by a majority of the US Senate.

Garcetti’s nomination came under a shadow after a Senate report released suggested that Garcetti had ignored a pattern of sexual harassment allegedly carried out by one of his top aides. (ANI)