Sinha confirmed as U.S. envoy to Singapore despite struggling with questions in Senate
Dr Anjani Sinha speaking during his Senate confirmation hearing in Washington in July, where he faced criticism for fumbling key questions before being confirmed as U.S. ambassador to Singapore. (US Foreign Relations Committee pic)
KUALA LUMPUR: The United States Senate has confirmed Dr Anjani Sinha as Washington’s ambassador to Singapore, following a July confirmation hearing in which his responses to questions on U.S.-Singapore trade and regional issues drew attention.
The appointment was part of a batch of diplomatic postings that also included Sergio Gor as ambassador to India and Sean O’Neill to Thailand, according to Channel NewsAsia.
During the hearing, Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth questioned Sinha on bilateral trade and Singapore’s role in ASEAN. When asked about the U.S. trade surplus with Singapore in 2024, Sinha initially estimated US$80 billion, later revising to US$18 billion. The actual figure was about US$2.8 billion. Duckworth said he appeared unprepared and lacked sufficient background on trade and regional issues.
Sinha, an orthopaedics and sports medicine specialist from Florida, was nominated for the Singapore posting by U.S. president Donald Trump.
Despite challenges responding to questions during the hearing, the Senate confirmed his appointment in a 51-47 vote, enabling him to take up the post ahead of Singapore’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2027.
Must-Watch Video
Stay updated with our news