Eric Garcetti confirmed as US ambassador to India after contentious 20-month fight

Former Los Angeles mayor takes diplomatic post after weathering doubts about his truthfulness in a sexual harassment scandal

Eric Garcetti, the former mayor of Los Angeles, was confirmed on Wednesday as the nation's next ambassador to India, 20 months after he was first nominated by Joe Biden and after weathering doubts about his truthfulness in a sexual harassment scandal involving a top adviser during his time at City Hall.

The 52-42 vote in a divided Senate gave the administration a long-sought victory in filling one of the country's highest-profile diplomatic posts.