Eric Garcetti has been confirmed as the next US ambassador to India following a 52-42 vote in the Senate.
Garcetti's nomination had been stalled for 20 months due to questions about his handling of sexual harassment allegations against a former top adviser.
The Republicans played a key role in securing his nomination with seven of them voting in favour of advancing the nomination.
However, three Democratic senators voted against the nomination.
The position of ambassador to India is essential for the Biden administration's attempts to counter China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
After being nominated for the role by President Joe Biden in July 2021, it took 20 months for Eric Garcetti to be confirmed as the next US ambassador to India.
His nomination was saddled with questions about his truthfulness in a sexual harassment scandal involving a top adviser during his time at the Los Angeles City Hall.
Garcetti's fate in the Senate rested with enlisting Republicans, and seven GOP senators voted to advance his nomination to a final vote, indicating that the scales in the chamber were often divided along partisan lines.
However, the Democrats had some reservations regarding the nomination, with Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Mark Kelly of Arizona voting against advancing Garcetti to a final vote.
Chuck Grassley, the Republican Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, opposed the nomination because of the harassment allegations, saying Garcetti had "enabled sexual harassment and racism to run rampant in the Los Angeles mayor's office.
" Nevertheless, with the confirmation finally secured, President Biden can count on Garcetti's appointment to bolster critical relations with India, a crucial and consequential partnership, while continuing to counter China's assertive presence in the Indo-Pacific region.