नवीनतम
US consulate opens in Bengaluru, visa services to begin later
BENGALURU [Maha Media]: The US opened its consulate in Bengaluru on January 17, a move described as a "significant milestone" by external affairs affairs Minister S Jaishankar and is expected to benefit techies, business visitors and students.
“While visa services will not be available immediately, we are committed to bringing them here as soon as possible. This consulate will play a pivotal role in fostering collaborations in commerce, science, technology, education, and culture,” US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said at the dedication ceremony.
The outgoing US envoy stressed Bengaluru’s importance as India’s Silicon Valley, symbolising the synergy between the two nations.
"The formal opening of this consulate is a significant milestone. I understand the importance of initiating visa operations here, and this will remain a priority moving forward," Jaishankar said.
Referring to the 8.8 lakh passports issued last year by the Bengaluru Regional Passport Office, Jaishankar said it indicated demand for smoother travel and better connectivity.
Bengaluru’s three weekly flights to San Francisco, the presence of 3.5 lakh Indian students in the US, and a diaspora of five million people emphasised the need for deeper engagement.
Jaishankar also acknowledged Bengaluru and Karnataka’s pivotal roles in India-US relations, particularly in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, space technology, and defence.
The minister expressed hope for stronger collaborations in education and research, aided by India’s new education policy.
Setting up a consulate in Bengaluru, he said, was an imperative driven by the city’s aspirations and its critical role in bilateral relations.
Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said the consulate’s opening was the culmination of a vision set in motion 29 years ago during SM Krishna’s tenure as chief minister.
He described the consulate as a testament to the deepening ties between the US and Karnataka. “Despite infrastructure challenges, Bengaluru continues to attract Fortune 500 companies and remains a key player on the global stage,” Shivakumar said.
Several Karnataka ministers, Bengaluru South MPs and several industry leaders were present at the event.
As reported by Moneycontrol, the consulate will initially operate from JW Marriott, where the United States Commercial Service is currently based. Plans for full-fledged operations will proceed once land is acquired for a larger campus.
The consulate sparked a political credit war, with Congress, BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) leaders claiming credit.
Minister for IT/BT Priyank Kharge, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, and JD-S leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy have all asserted their roles in making the consulate a reality.
