US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti recently visited the city of Amritsar in Punjab. He was joined by his wife Amy Wakeland, and a family member.
During the trip Garcetti visited several places of significance including the Jallianwallah Bagh, the Partition Museum, and Wagah border.
Sharing the images from his trip on social media, the Ambassador wrote, “There are a few places in the world that are truly sacred - this Golden Temple is right there at the top of that list. You feel not only the holiness of this place, but how the generous service of people defines not only the world as it is but as it can be.”
There are a few places in the world that are truly sacred - this Golden Temple is right there at the top of that list. You feel not only the holiness of this place, but how the generous service of people defines not only the world as it is but as it can be. I am mesmerized by the… pic.twitter.com/UjuOJngTtX
— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) February 27, 2024
At the temple, Garcetti offered prayers and participated in seva (langar). He was greeted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami.
Dhami discussed several issues of importance to the American diaspora with the Ambassador including the establishment of direct flights to Punjab instead of New Delhi.
In a dedicated post, after he visited the Jallianwallah Bagh within the vicinity of the temple, Garcetti wrote, “Visited Jallianwala Bagh – a powerful and somber experience. The echoes of history still resonate in this historic site, where innocent lives were lost. A stark reminder of the sacrifices made for our freedom. May we never forget the lessons of the past.”
Garcetti also visited the Wagah Border with his team. “The cheers created such a vibrant atmosphere and I was honored to meet the border forces there,” he posted. A visit to Amritsar is considered incomplete without partaking in the flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah border, a daily military practice that the Border Security Force of India and Pakistan conduct daily.
His visit concluded with a meet-up with former Ambassador of India to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu. “A true diplomat par excellence, his unwavering support, dedication, and commitment to strengthening the #USIndia partnership have been remarkable. Thank you for your service, Ambassador!” Garcetti posted.
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