SINGAPORE: Anjani K Sinha has arrived in Singapore to begin his term as United States Ambassador, the US Embassy said on Thursday (Nov 6).
The Ambassador, an orthopaedic surgeon, met with the team on the ground yesterday and shared with them “how under the visionary leadership of President Trump we will take our close relationship with Singapore to the next level,” he said in a Facebook post, adding that he is committed to “creating deeper bonds with the people and government of Singapore.”
Photos showing Dr Sinha on his first day of work were also shared on the post. The Ambassador also said that he looks forward “to getting to know Singapore and to growing the 60-year relationship, one that has enriched both our countries, into an even closer friendship.”
The envoy had somewhat of a challenging time prior to his confirmation to the post on Oct 7. In July, during his Senate confirmation hearing, Dr Sinha struggled to answer some questions posed by Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, who pointed out that he needed to be much better prepared for an important position, particularly in light of tensions between the US and China in the region.
“You are not taking this seriously. You think this is a glamour posting. You think that you’re going to live a nice life in Singapore, but what we need is someone who’s actually going to do the work,” Senator Duckworth told him.
Ambassador Sinha’s remarks
Upon arriving, Dr Sinha said that he is “deeply honoured to represent the United States in Singapore, a friend of the United States that is a leading hub for American business and a pillar of regional stability.”
He also shared that Mr Trump has asked him to “increase our ambitions for cooperation with Singapore, based on mutual respect and shared priorities. In particular, I am eager to work with Singapore to areas such as technology, energy, and security.”
He noted that he was drawing on his experience as a doctor in his new role, saying that he has “spent my career connecting with people and delivering results, and I look forward to applying that same spirit of collaboration to deepen the ties between our two countries.”
Dr Sinha’s background
Aside from being an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr Sinha also has experience in sports medicine, having practised in New York and Florida. He has degrees from MGM Medical School and Delhi University in India. His wife, Kuntala Sinha, is a retired anesthesiologist and New York University professor. The couple shares two children and three grandchildren. /TISG
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