SINGAPORE: The United States Senate on Tuesday (Oct 7) confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee Anjani Sinha as ambassador to Singapore.
The orthopaedic surgeon was among a slew of nominees voted in by a 51-47 simple majority for various positions.
Others on the list include Sergio Gor, who will become the ambassador to India and Mr Sean O’Neill, who is set to be the ambassador to Thailand.
Dr Sinha is a surgeon on the East Coast specialising in orthopaedics and sports medicine.
The US State Department previously said he is an “accomplished entrepreneur, having built multiple thriving key-man practices with specialised teams across eight locations in New York, and has served as a senior surgical consultant in Florida”.
He is a graduate of MGM Medical School and Delhi University in India, with a Masters of Orthopaedic Surgery.
During a Senate confirmation hearing on Jul 9, Dr Anjani was seen struggling with his responses.
For instance, when Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth asked him how large was the US trade surplus with Singapore in 2024, he replied US$80 billion, before correcting the figure to US$18 billion.
The senator then told him that it was actually US$2.8 billion and that he was “off by a huge factor”.
Duiring the July session, he extended his “deep gratitude to President Trump for his nomination, and to Secretary Rubio for his support”, adding that Singapore is the US’ “key strategic partner and friend” in the Indo-Pacific.
“Close cooperation with Singapore, along with our other allies and partners in the region, is more critical today than ever before.”
“In Singapore, I will look to expand and deepen our defence and security cooperation, economic and trade relationship, and people-to-people ties,” Dr Sinha said.
In the nomination hearing, Dr Sinha was also warmly introduced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who said that Dr Sinha has been friends with Mr Trump for over a decade.
