Will everything change with Trump’s arrival? Eric Garcetti said goodbye to India. How America chooses its ambassador?

Last Updated:January 14, 2025, 17:20 IST

US Eric Garcetti: After the change of President in America, the process of change of American ambassadors has been seen on a large scale across the world. The tenure of US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has ended. Let us understand how America becomes its ambassador…read more

Washington: US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has completed his tenure. On Monday, in his last speech as ambassador, he praised India. During his speech he mentioned the close relations between India and America. Garcetti said that America believes that the history of India is not only of India but of the entire world. But more than Eric Garcetti’s statements, today we will know how America appoints its ambassador and does the ambassador also change when the President changes?

Indian ambassadors to different countries of the world are mostly officers of the ‘Indian Foreign Service’. But the government can also appoint officers from other services or politicians as ambassadors as per the need. The President of India approves the appointment of the Ambassador on the advice of the Prime Minister. Whereas in America also this power rests only with the President. This is a political post, so as soon as the government changes, the process of changing American ambassadors starts.

How is America’s ambassador appointed?

• The US President selects the candidate for ambassador of any country. In this, it is kept in mind that the person has experience in diplomatic or foreign relations.
• After the candidate is selected, the nomination is officially filed and sent to the US Senate.
• The Senate Foreign Relations Committee reviews the nominee. In this, a hearing is organized, in which the nominated person is asked about his qualifications, experience and plans regarding his post. The committee reviews this person’s background, interests and potential conflicts.
• After the hearing, the committee votes on whether to recommend the nominee. If the committee approves, the nomination goes to the full Senate for confirmation. For this a simple majority is required.
• After getting permission from the Senate, the President can appoint such a person as ambassador. After the oath the ambassador starts his duty.

Do ambassadors change with the President?
There is no set time limit for the tenure of the US Ambassador. Ambassadors can hold their post till the pleasure of the President. He can resign at any time. However, change of government also changes ambassadors. Before becoming President in 2017, Donald Trump’s team had instructed all politically appointed diplomats to step down before January 20, 2017. According to the report of Voice of America, the then US State Department spokesperson John Kirby had then said that it is common for politically appointed ambassadors to resign. After Trump’s victory in the elections last year, US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman also resigned.