Anjani Sinha confirmed as US ambassador to Singapore in an 'en bloc' vote

The US Senate confirmed Dr Anjani Sinha, an orthopaedic surgeon from President Donald Trump’s home state of Florida, as the United States ambassador to Singapore, in an en bloc vote on Oct 7.

- Bhagyashree Garekar US Bureau Chief

In his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 9, Dr Anjani Sinha said he had a "strong understanding and respect" for the Indo-Pacific region's cultures, people and values. PHOTO: US CONGRESS

(US CONGRESS)

Dr Sinha was among a group of more than 100 nominees voted in with a simple majority after the Republicans changed Senate rules to end Democratic attempts to slow-walk the confirmation of Mr Trump’s appointees with a process that dramatically accelerated their confirmation.

Several other appointees critical to Mr Trump’s Asia diplomacy were also confirmed in the 51-47 vote. These included nominees for senior State Department positions such as Mr Michael DeSombre as assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Af-

fairs, and Dr Paul Kapur as his counterpart in charge of South Asian Affairs.

Mr Sergio Gor was confirmed as the ambassador to India, while Mr Sean O'Neill was voted in as the ambassador to Thailand.