Top US Senator Seeks Probe Into Charges Against Pick For Envoy To India

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley said the US owes it to India to send a qualified diplomat who will represent the values of the country.

A top American Senator has called for a thorough investigation into allegations against Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who is the ambassadorial nominee to New Delhi, involving his office, saying the US owes it to India to send a qualified diplomat who will represent the values of the country.

The confirmation of Garcetti, 51, by the Senate has been pending for several months now, mainly because of the opposition from Republican Senator Chuck Grassley.

On Thursday, Grassley took the Senate floor to reiterate that he will continue to oppose the nomination of Garcetti till the investigations being conducted by his staff are complete and he is satisfied with it.

"The United States owes it to the Republic of India to send them a qualified Ambassador that will represent the values of the United States. Mayor Garcetti may very well be fully qualified, but at this time, the Senate needs to look into these allegations further,” he said.