President Biden on Friday nominated Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) to serve as ambassador to India, pending Senate confirmation.

Why it matters: This is one of a handful of high-profile picks for ambassadorships that Biden has made since taking office, and Garcetti may be dispatched amid a surge in COVID-19 infections in India.

• Garcetti's confirmation would also come as the United State's second-largest city faces record homelessness and struggles with aging infrastructure.

The big picture: Biden also nominated the Obama Foundation's Bernadette Meehan for the ambassadorship to Chile.

• He nominated Denise Campbell Bauer, who led Women for Biden during 2020 presidential election, for the post in Monaco and Peter D. Haas for Bangladesh.

Flashback: Garcetti considered running for president in 2020 and was later discussed as a potential member of Biden’s Cabinet last year before voluntarily removing himself in December.

• Garcetti's prospects as a Cabinet member faded after a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed against one of his former aides by one of the mayor's longtime bodyguards.
• The mayor was one of Biden's national campaign co-chairs and served on the committee that vetted his pool of vice presidential contenders.