America does not have a permanent ambassador in the country: Indo-American business may be affected, and conflict is possible on many issues

Posted on 21st Nov 2022 by rohit kumar

America's permanent ambassador to India has not been there for two years. This is the first time that the US Embassy in New Delhi has been without a permanent ambassador for so long. However, President Joe Biden approved the appointment of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti as ambassador last year.

 

Many experts were seeing this as a message to show the importance of India through Biden, but it was banned by two MPs of the Republican Party, after which the Senate could not approve it. Garcetti is a close friend of Biden, he also knows Hindi and Urdu.

 

Experts said that the absence of a permanent ambassador in an important country like India can affect the relationship between the two countries. Kenneth Juster, who was the previous ambassador of America to India, told Bhaskar – The delay in the appointment of the ambassador is not good.

 

The absence of an ambassador can complicate issues

The ambassador has an understanding of the local perspective on important issues, which helps in finding solutions to disputes between the two countries. India-US relations are in good shape now, but the absence of the ambassador could complicate matters. He said that the lack of an ambassador between the two countries creates difficulties in business. This is the reason why there are obstacles to the progress of the policy.

 

Deepa Olapalli, professor at the Sigur Center for Asian Studies at George Washington University, says the US is India's largest trading partner and arms supplier. When Japanese, Australian, and American ambassadors are present in countries like Korea, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, so the absence of an American ambassador in India is a big mistake.

 

Permanent ambassador necessary to stop China

This will also affect many long-term interests with India ranging from defence, trade, and energy to health services. A permanent ambassador is necessary to stop rising China. Recently, the US has appointed the 5th temporary in-charge of the Indian Embassy. In the absence of a permanent ambassador, this period has been one of the most tumultuous in US-India relations.

 

Indo-American Congressman Ro Khanna also termed the appointment of an ambassador as the need of the hour and said that because of China, there is a need for strong defense and strategic partnership. On the other hand, another expert Raunak Desai told that there has been a confrontation between India and America on issues like calling the army from Afghanistan, the Russia-Ukraine war, and a defense agreement with Pakistan. Having a permanent ambassador would have helped in handling such situations.

 

America does not have permanent ambassadors in 50 countries

Sources in the US President's Office say that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously selected Garcetti. The appointment is expected to be approved soon. Many experts have blamed political slowness for presidential nominations not being ratified by the Senate. The US does not have a permanent ambassador in 50 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.

 

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