Anjani Sinha, Trump’s Pick For Singapore Envoy Flubs Facts In Senate Grilling

Photo:C-SPAN

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, Dr. Anjani Sinha, came under intense scrutiny during his Senate confirmation hearing after failing to answer several fundamental questions about U.S. policy in Southeast Asia — raising concerns about his qualifications and preparedness for the critical diplomatic post.

In a widely shared and sharply critical exchange, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) accused Sinha of treating the ambassadorship as a “glamor posting” and warned that his “lack of understanding may even inadvertently cause friction in our critical relationship” with Singapore — one of the United States’ key partners in the Indo-Pacific.

Sinha, a New York-based orthopedic surgeon with no diplomatic background, was unable to accurately answer basic questions about U.S.-Singapore trade and regional diplomacy. When asked about the U.S. trade surplus with Singapore in 2024, he first estimated it at $80 billion, then revised it to $18 billion — both wildly inaccurate. Senator Duckworth had to correct him with the actual figure: $2.8 billion.

He also faltered when asked about the U.S. approach to Trump’s recently announced 10% tariff on Singaporean goods, responding vaguely that “the dialogue is not closed.” When pressed about ASEAN leadership, Sinha incorrectly stated that Malaysia currently chairs the bloc and did not know that Singapore is set to take over the rotating chair in 2027.

“You’ve not even done your homework, sir,” Duckworth said sharply. “You think this is a glamour posting, that you’re going to live a nice life in Singapore, when what we need is someone who can actually do the work.”

Despite his impressive career in medicine and philanthropy, Sinha’s complete lack of foreign policy or diplomatic experience drew bipartisan concern. He was introduced to the committee by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who described him as “a friend of President Trump for over a decade.”

The White House described him as “a highly respected entrepreneur, with an incredible family!” in the March announcement of his nomination, citing his success in building a network of orthopedic practices and his philanthropic work in the U.S. and India. His defenders have pointed to his business background, Indo-Pacific heritage, and stated admiration for Singapore’s financial and healthcare systems as reasons he could build strong bilateral ties.

In his testimony, Sinha said he saw himself as a “lifelong bridge builder” and expressed a desire to deepen cooperation in technology, defense, and healthcare. He cited a personal connection to Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and emphasized shared values between the two countries.

Clips of the hearing quickly went viral across social media platforms in Singapore, where viewers mocked Sinha’s performance. Local commentators dubbed him “more embarassador than ambassador,” while political analysts questioned how seriously the Trump administration was treating its diplomatic relationships in Asia.

Despite the criticism, Sinha’s confirmation appears likely due to the Republican majority in the Senate. Still, the hearing has ignited a broader conversation about political appointments and the qualifications expected of U.S. ambassadors — especially in strategically vital regions like Southeast Asia.

As Senator Duckworth concluded, “This nation is too important to the United States, to ASEAN, to the entire region. We need someone serious in this role.”