WASHINGTON — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted Wednesday to advance Eric Garcetti’s nomination as US ambassador to India and sent it to the full house for approval.

The vote on the former Los Angeles mayor was 13-8, with Democrats voting in his favor and beating out two Republicans: Sen. Todd Young of Indiana and Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee.

The vote is a positive sign for Garcetti, whose nomination has been delayed since it was made in July 2021, in part for questions about his handling of sexual harassment allegations against an aide while he was mayor. Garcetti has denied any wrongdoing.

It is unclear when the full Senate will vote on his nomination; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., said Tuesday that he hoped to bring it up «soon.» Garcetti needs a simple majority to win confirmation.

The Foreign Relations Committee approved Garcetti’s nomination in January 2022, but never got a full vote in the Senate due to opposition from multiple senators, including some Democrats.

The US currently does not have a permanent ambassador to India, despite the fact that President Joe Biden and his administration, along with many members of Congress, view the country as a key strategic partner in the shared goal of containing the rise of China.

Biden renominated Garcetti for the post earlier this year after it expired at the adjournment of the last Congress.