New Delhi:

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Sunday highlighted that US-India relations have reached new heights, due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden. Garcetti and his family on Sunday met PM Modi and said that the two leaders have achieved record-breaking milestones in various areas, including visas, trade, defence collaboration, space cooperation, student exchanges, and investments.

In a heartfelt post on X, Garcetti said, “Had a great final visit with PM Modi with my family. It’s clear that he and President Biden have raised our compelling and consequential US-India partnership to new heights–record visas, record trade, record defence collaboration, record space cooperation, record students, record investments and so much more.”

Garcetti expressed his gratitude to PM Modi and the people of India for their warm hospitality during his final visit to India. He emphasised that the US-India partnership has become indispensable and will continue to grow stronger in the coming years.

“What was seen as unthinkable a generation ago will seem as indispensable a generation from now, thanks to the work of these leaders and the people of our nations. Thank you Prime Minister and thank you to all Indians. It’s been a daily joy to help co-write this chapter with you,” he added.

Had a great final visit with PM Modi with my family. It’s clear that he and President Biden have raised our compelling and consequential U.S.-India partnership to new heights—record visas, record trade, record defense collaboration, record space cooperation, record students,… pic.twitter.com/oHCbZBwX3v

— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) January 19, 2025

While attending the inauguration ceremony of US Consulate office in Bengaluru on Friday, Garcetti said that it was not a new presence of the US in India, but they are rather expanding their presence.

“We are not beginning a new presence here. In Karnataka, but we are expanding our existing presence here, a commitment that America makes to this great state and city in this amazing nation as well. And thank you to all of our honourable dignitaries,” he said.

The US Ambassador also highlighted the rich history of US-India relations, dating back to 1776 when the US opened its second-ever consulate in Kolkata, India. He noted that the recent inauguration of the US Consulate office in Bengaluru marks an expansion of the US presence in India, rather than a new beginning.

“We’ve been talking about this for a long, long time, right? We start together to make sure this beginning plants a seed that will flower for decades to come. You know our relationship in India is not new. Many Americans don’t know, and very few Indians know that our second consulate in the world was here in India. First after the independence of a new America in 1776, we opened a consulate in Lyon, France, and then the second was in Kolkata, showing back then the importance of India to a new American nation. Since then, we have built to 5 posts, 7 if you count our commercial offices including here and in Ahmedabad, and this is now the 2nd largest mission of America anywhere in the world. It produces the second most visas and the most students. We’re breaking records every single year, record employees, record visas, record students, record military exercises, record engagement from the seabed to space,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Sunday highlighted that US-India relations have reached new heights, due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden. Garcetti and his family on Sunday met PM Modi and said that the two leaders have achieved record-breaking milestones in various areas, including visas, trade, defence collaboration, space cooperation, student exchanges, and investments.

In a heartfelt post on X, Garcetti said, “Had a great final visit with PM Modi with my family. It’s clear that he and President Biden have raised our compelling and consequential US-India partnership to new heights–record visas, record trade, record defence collaboration, record space cooperation, record students, record investments and so much more.”

Garcetti expressed his gratitude to PM Modi and the people of India for their warm hospitality during his final visit to India. He emphasised that the US-India partnership has become indispensable and will continue to grow stronger in the coming years.

“What was seen as unthinkable a generation ago will seem as indispensable a generation from now, thanks to the work of these leaders and the people of our nations. Thank you Prime Minister and thank you to all Indians. It’s been a daily joy to help co-write this chapter with you,” he added.

Had a great final visit with PM Modi with my family. It’s clear that he and President Biden have raised our compelling and consequential U.S.-India partnership to new heights—record visas, record trade, record defense collaboration, record space cooperation, record students,… pic.twitter.com/oHCbZBwX3v

— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) January 19, 2025

While attending the inauguration ceremony of US Consulate office in Bengaluru on Friday, Garcetti said that it was not a new presence of the US in India, but they are rather expanding their presence.

“We are not beginning a new presence here. In Karnataka, but we are expanding our existing presence here, a commitment that America makes to this great state and city in this amazing nation as well. And thank you to all of our honourable dignitaries,” he said.

The US Ambassador also highlighted the rich history of US-India relations, dating back to 1776 when the US opened its second-ever consulate in Kolkata, India. He noted that the recent inauguration of the US Consulate office in Bengaluru marks an expansion of the US presence in India, rather than a new beginning.

“We’ve been talking about this for a long, long time, right? We start together to make sure this beginning plants a seed that will flower for decades to come. You know our relationship in India is not new. Many Americans don’t know, and very few Indians know that our second consulate in the world was here in India. First after the independence of a new America in 1776, we opened a consulate in Lyon, France, and then the second was in Kolkata, showing back then the importance of India to a new American nation. Since then, we have built to 5 posts, 7 if you count our commercial offices including here and in Ahmedabad, and this is now the 2nd largest mission of America anywhere in the world. It produces the second most visas and the most students. We’re breaking records every single year, record employees, record visas, record students, record military exercises, record engagement from the seabed to space,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has yet again surprised everyone with his dance performance during the Diwali celebrations at the US embassy in Delhi.

Mr Garcetti, who has shown his Bollywood dance skills in the past as well, today shook a leg to the popular song “Tauba Tauba” from Vicky Kaushal starrer “Bad Newz”.

In a video shared by the news agency ANI on X, the 53-year-old wore a brown kurta and a pair of shades while dancing to the hit song. 

#WATCH | US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti dances to the tune of the popular Hindi song ‘Tauba, Tauba’ during Diwali celebrations at the embassy in Delhi

(Video source: US Embassy) pic.twitter.com/MLdLd8IDrH

— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2024

“Wow his dance skills are amazing,” a user said.

“Too good,” said another.

Earlier last year, Mr Garcetti danced to the hit song ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ during a Diwali celebration event at the US embassy.

The original song, which came out in 1998, featured Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora grooving on a train. 

I applaud the jovial spirit of US Ambassador to India, Mr. @ericgarcetti, for showing delightful interest in Diwali celebrations. Let there be light and happiness in the relationship of US and India like this forever!@USAmbIndiapic.twitter.com/8COlQ5EGlQ

— Satnam Singh Sandhu (@satnamsandhuchd) November 10, 2023

Since being appointed last year, Eric Garcetti has wholeheartedly soaked in the Indian traditions and has celebrated various festivals.

Joe Biden Hosts Diwali Event At White House

US President Joe Biden on Monday also hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House. The event was reportedly attended by more than 600 eminent Indian Americans, including Congressmen, officials, and corporate executives, from across the country.

It was also joined by Indian-origin American astronaut Sunita Williams, who is currently stuck on the International Space Station.

Mr Garcetti called it a “beautiful” Diwali celebration.

“As we celebrate the journey of light, we also honor the invaluable contributions of Indian Americans who deepen the US-India bond. From New Delhi to DC, may the light of Diwali illuminate every corner of the world and spread the message of peace and prosperity,” he posted on X.

What a beautiful celebration of Diwali at the @WhiteHouse! As we celebrate the journey of light, we also honor the invaluable contributions of Indian Americans who deepen the #USIndia bond. From New Delhi to D.C., may the light of Diwali illuminate every corner of the world and… https://t.co/1CEjRwhptQ

— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) October 30, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is of Indian origin, and First Lady Dr Jill Biden could not attend the event as they were on the campaign trail.

New Delhi:

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has yet again surprised everyone with his dance performance during the Diwali celebrations at the US embassy in Delhi.

Mr Garcetti, who has shown his Bollywood dance skills in the past as well, today shook a leg to the popular song “Tauba Tauba” from Vicky Kaushal starrer “Bad Newz”.

In a video shared by the news agency ANI on X, the 53-year-old wore a brown kurta and a pair of shades while dancing to the hit song. 

#WATCH | US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti dances to the tune of the popular Hindi song ‘Tauba, Tauba’ during Diwali celebrations at the embassy in Delhi

(Video source: US Embassy) pic.twitter.com/MLdLd8IDrH

— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2024

“Wow his dance skills are amazing,” a user said.

“Too good,” said another.

Earlier last year, Mr Garcetti danced to the hit song ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ during a Diwali celebration event at the US embassy.

The original song, which came out in 1998, featured Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora grooving on a train. 

I applaud the jovial spirit of US Ambassador to India, Mr. @ericgarcetti, for showing delightful interest in Diwali celebrations. Let there be light and happiness in the relationship of US and India like this forever!@USAmbIndiapic.twitter.com/8COlQ5EGlQ

— Satnam Singh Sandhu (@satnamsandhuchd) November 10, 2023

Since being appointed last year, Eric Garcetti has wholeheartedly soaked in the Indian traditions and has celebrated various festivals.

Joe Biden Hosts Diwali Event At White House

US President Joe Biden on Monday also hosted a Diwali celebration at the White House. The event was reportedly attended by more than 600 eminent Indian Americans, including Congressmen, officials, and corporate executives, from across the country.

It was also joined by Indian-origin American astronaut Sunita Williams, who is currently stuck on the International Space Station.

Mr Garcetti called it a “beautiful” Diwali celebration.

“As we celebrate the journey of light, we also honor the invaluable contributions of Indian Americans who deepen the US-India bond. From New Delhi to DC, may the light of Diwali illuminate every corner of the world and spread the message of peace and prosperity,” he posted on X.

What a beautiful celebration of Diwali at the @WhiteHouse! As we celebrate the journey of light, we also honor the invaluable contributions of Indian Americans who deepen the #USIndia bond. From New Delhi to D.C., may the light of Diwali illuminate every corner of the world and… https://t.co/1CEjRwhptQ

— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) October 30, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris, who is of Indian origin, and First Lady Dr Jill Biden could not attend the event as they were on the campaign trail.

New Delhi:

US Ambassador Eric Garcetti on Wednesday was all praise for Varanasi as he shared his thoughts on witnessing sunrise from its famed ghats and watching the Ganga aarti which, he said, was a “beautiful reminder of how tradition shapes us”.

The ambassador, in a series of posts on X, shared photographs of his visit to the spiritual city of India.

“Experiencing the sunrise over the Ganges from Asi Ghat was nothing short of surreal. What a joy to share this moment with so many others, who gathered in the early hours to witness such beauty!,” he wrote on the social media platform.

Mr Garcetti, in another post, shared the experience of witnessing an aarti on the banks of Ganga.

“The Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat was more than just a ceremony; it was a beautiful reminder of how tradition shapes us. The lights reflecting on the river and the sound of bells echoing in the night create an unforgettable atmosphere. Varanasi, you’ve touched my soul,” he said.

The Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat was more than just a ceremony; it was a beautiful reminder of how tradition shapes us. The lights reflecting on the river and the sound of bells echoing in the night create an unforgettable atmosphere. Varanasi, you’ve touched my soul. pic.twitter.com/5Hce3f3v6V

— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) October 16, 2024

Earlier, the US envoy wrote, “Namaste Varanasi! I’m excited to finally visit the “City of Light.” Looking forward to exploring the beautiful ghats, ancient temples, and timeless traditions of this vibrant city.” Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in India and attracts a large number of devotees to its holy sites, including the Kashi Vishwanath temple, besides its old ghats.

Recently, Mr Garcetti had travelled to Kolkata to experience the Durga Puja celebrations in the city.

“Pandal hopping in Kolkata during Durga Puja is an experience like no other! Every pandal and home puja tells a story and celebrates the unique spirit and heritage of the season. It’s such an honor to be part of this beautiful blend of art, history, culture, and community. #DurgaPuja2024 #USIndiaFWD,” he wrote in a post on X on October 12.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New York:

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, on Monday, talked about the “close friendship” between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden and its role in the rapidly expanding ties between the two countries.

In an interview with ANI, Garcetti said PM Modi is the most pro-American Prime Minister they have seen in Indian history and President Biden is the most “pro-Indian president we’ve had in US history”.

“These are two men (PM Modi and Joe Biden) who have such a close friendship, the most pro-American prime minister we’ve ever seen in Indian history, the most pro-Indian president we’ve had in US history and that’s building on people who have been very strong before. I think they are representative of the people in their country, the closeness that we have,” he said.

He said Quad, which is a forum of the US, India, Japan and Australia, is a “powerful place” to set a vision, share principles and to come up with common solutions in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The Quad is a powerful place to set a vision, to share principles and to come up with common solutions in the Indo-Pacific. It’s a contrast to nations that don’t want to play by the rules, don’t believe in the rule of law, but I think we will build solutions. It’s about what we can do proactively and this was a giant step forward,” he said.

He noted that the four Quad countries have a common vision that there should be a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific and the forum is about finding solutions to common challenges and standing up for principles that not every country shares.

US President Joe Biden hosted the sixth Quad Summit at his home town in Wilmington, Delaware, and it was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Garcetti said Quad is about common vision of four countries and the joint declaration issued at the end of Summit speaks of cooperation in a range of areas including disaster assistance and supply chains.
“It’s not about any one nation. It’s really about these four nations and this common vision that there should be a free open, prosperous Indo-Pacific and if you look at the declaration, it underscores that from cooperating together on health care, whether it’s security and making sure our coast guards can act with each other in a way during a humanitarian disaster that can keep our people safe and protected or whether it’s looking at economic development of things like supply chains to make sure no one country can throttle those supply chains in critical minerals,” he said.
He said nobody should feel threatened by Quad.

“We put a billion dollars together between just US and India to find climate solutions when we have almost 900 million people who are climate-vulnerable in our two countries. So of course, other countries will look in but nobody should feel threatened by the Quad. But the Quad is about standing up for principles that not every country shares. It is about finding solutions to common challenges that not everybody is doing in a multilateral way and I think it is inspiring the world. The Quad doesn’t just work in four countries, we are looking at the entire region and how we can give something to everyone,” he added.

Garcetti said Quad is not a military alliance looking to project power and is looking to preserve peace.”There’s no question that security and peace is the most important thing for any country and for all of our people. So whether it’s the new announcement on Coast Guard integration and having our crews work together or whether it’s the hub to allow some of our military planes and things like that to be able to interoperate, be fixed in each other’s countries that show interoperability to protect our people, but it is not first and foremost, some sort of military alliance looking to project power, it is looking to preserve peace and to make sure that we have prosperity for the entire plan,” he said.

“In the Indo-Pacific, it’s a contrast to nations that don’t want to play by the rules, don’t believe in the rule of law, but I think it will build solutions. It’s about what we can do proactively and this was a giant step forward, ” he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New York:

United States sees India as a “friend and partner” and not as a counterbalance to any other country, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has said and emphasised that the two nations share the principles about borders and sovereignty and rule of law.

In an interview with ANI, Garcetti stressed that the US stood with India when there has been conflict on the border and that it supports India’s diplomatic interactions with China.

He said the United States has a long history of ensuring that aggression should not be rewarded anywhere in the world.

“I would say that we see India as a friend and a partner, not a counterbalance. We share the principles about borders and sovereignty, about the rule of law. We’ve stood with India on the border when there’s been conflicts. We’ve recognized since 1952 the McMahon Line. We have a long history of ensuring that aggression should not be rewarded anywhere in the world. When it comes to China specifically, we all want to have peaceful relations with China,” he said.

Garcetti was asked that US relations with China are very complex and how does Washington DC see India fit into the larger picture when it comes to the region, especially when India-China relations are not at their best and also if Washington sees India as a counterbalance to China in his country’s Indo-Pacific policy.

“We support India’s diplomatic interactions right now and I think it was announced, you know, that much of the border, about 75 per cent of it, as (EAM) Jaishankar said, has been settled, but nobody should move ahead when their sovereignty is threatened. That is something that we respect and will follow India’s lead in India’s land,” he said. .

The US envoy said that the US wants countries to have choices and not fall into debt traps.

“Secondly, when we look at the region, we want to make sure people have choices that they don’t have death traps that they aren’t seen as inferring in domestic politics. That people can have democracies that they can have free market economies. They can have a rule of law that is respected by everybody. We want to calm the waters when it comes to relations with China,” he added.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said earlier this month that 75 per cent of disengagement problems with China have been sorted out but the two nations “still have some things to do.” He also underlined how India and China never had an easy relationship in the past.
Garcetti said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden share “close friendship.” He described President Biden as the “most pro-Indian president we’ve had in US history”.

“These are two men (PM Modi and Joe Biden) who have such a close friendship, the most pro-American prime minister we’ve ever seen in Indian history, the most pro-Indian president we’ve had in US history and that’s building on people who have been very strong before. I think they are representative of the people and their country and the closeness that we have, having this in a home for the first time, the President’s home, personal home, really underscored that this is something that is here to stay,” he added.

Stressing that Quad is a “powerful place” to set a vision and come up with solutions in the Indo-Pacific, he said that the group is a contrast to nations that don’t play by the rules.

“The Quad is a powerful place to set a vision, to share principles and to come up with common solutions in the Indo-Pacific. It’s a contrast to nations that don’t want to play by the rules, don’t believe in the rule of law, but I think we will build solutions. It’s about what we can do proactively and this was a giant step forward,” Garcetti said.
Quad is a group of four countries–Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.

US President Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the Quad Leaders’ Summit on Saturday (local time) in his home town Wilmington, Delaware.

The Quad leaders expressed commitment to working in partnership with Pacific island countries to achieve shared aspirations and address shared challenges.

The Quad nations also affirmed that, in consultation with partners, they will work collectively to address attempts to unilaterally undermine the integrity of the UN, its Charter, and its agencies.

Biden also held a bilateral meeting with PM Modi at his residence in Delaware. During his bilateral meeting, President Biden affirmed support for initiatives to reform global institutions to reflect India’s important voice, including permanent membership for India in a reformed UN Security Council.

The sixth edition of the Quad Leaders’ Summit was also a ‘farewell’ summit for both US President Joe Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida before they step down from their respective offices.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Wednesday highlighted the close friendship between the two nations when it comes to solving border issues, saying that “we’re always here when you call.”

Eric Garcetti visited Pandal on Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai.

Speaking on US-India relations, Garcetti told ANI, “We know sometimes we face the same enemies, so if they’re non-state actors or state actors, we are stronger together. We’re making progress there, and we do believe that we can give India the space to solve its own bordering issues. But we’re always here when you call.”

Further, Garcetti also emphasised that India’s challenges are for Indians and their government to address and assured that the US will always be available for support when needed.

“India’s challenges are for Indians and the Indian government to solve. We’re very clear that is not something for us from the outside to teach and preach,” said Garcetti.

“But we’re here to listen and learn, and nobody can deny how close the friendship between India and the US has become in moments of threats that we’ve seen, whether it’s on the border with China,” he added.

Garcetti also expressed the US desire to continue co-developing and co-manufacturing defense technologies with India and stated, “We want to have India be a place where our planes and our ships can come for repairs.”

“We’ve been there not only for recent years but decades past… We know that with deals like the new engines for aircraft, the Predator drones, other things that we’re looking at. We want to continue to co-develop and co-manufacture. We want to have India be a place where our planes and our ships can come for repairs. And through things like the Quad, which brings together multiple countries, we know we face the same challenges,” said Garcetti.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

S Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday as they discussed deepening of ties between the two countries.

In a post on X after the meeting, Mr Kharge said India and the United States enjoy a comprehensive global strategic partnership covering almost all areas of human endeavour, driven by shared democratic values.

“Delighted to meet Ambassador of the US to India, HE Mr. Eric Garcetti, Minister-Counselor of Political Affairs, Mr. Graham Mayer and Chief of Staff, Ms. Lisa Brown and discussed deepening of ties between the two countries,” the Congress chief said.

The US Ambassador met Mr Kharge at the latter’s residence here.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The Indo-US relationship is a powerful force for global progress, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday.

The ambassador made the remarks during his address at the Annual IC3 Conference and Expo 2024 here.

“The Indo-US relationship is a powerful force for global progress, deeply rooted in our shared commitment to education. As we strive to strengthen this partnership, effective counselling emerges as a key driver in opening doors and fostering mutual understanding,” he said.

“By investing in our students and providing them with the guidance they need, we are not only enhancing educational pathways but also deepening our bilateral ties,” the ambassador added.

The conference brought together nearly 2,000 educators, school leaders, counsellors, and university representatives from around the world.

“Events like IC3 are pivotal in this mission, demonstrating how transformative counselling can be in shaping future leaders and advancing our collective goals,” Garcetti said.

The conference featured the launch of two significant reports.

The “Student Suicides: An Epidemic Sweeping India” report highlighted a troubling trend that while overall suicides increased by 2 per cent annually in the country, student suicides surged by 4 per cent.

The Student Quest Report unveiled insights into gaps between student aspirations and educational delivery, underscoring the need for improved counselling infrastructure. It discussed the importance of aligning career choices with personal values, the impact of AI tools in counselling, and the necessity for early intervention and comprehensive support to address these gaps and support holistic student development.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)