US consulate opens in Bengaluru; Minister Jaishankar recalls efforts: ‘You get Bengaluru done, I’ll get Los Angeles’
The US consulate in Bengaluru won't be processing visa applications for now, said outgoing Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti.
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who was present at the event, hailed it as a 'new milestone' marking the beginning of an exciting chapter for US-India relations. (Express photo)
After a wait of nearly two decades, the US Consulate in Bengaluru was inaugurated Friday, joining the first dozen foreign consulates in the city. Eric Garcetti, outgoing Ambassador to India, said the consulate will not be processing visa applications for now.
During the ‘site dedication ceremony’ held at J W Marriott at Vittal Mallya Road, which houses the US Commercial Service (USCS) Office, Garcetti said, “While visa services will not be offered initially, we are committed to bringing those services here as soon as possible. We recognise the demand, whether it’s for tourism, education, or business, and this consulate will play a pivotal role in facilitating those connections”.
The consulate will operate from the USCS office, till a location is finalised.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who was present at the event, hailed it as a ‘new milestone’ marking the beginning of an exciting chapter for US-India relations, particularly in sectors like technology, space, defence, and education. “As we enter an era of AI, EVs, drones, biotechnology, and advanced space exploration, our partnership will be increasingly defined by innovation. Bengaluru, as India’s tech capital, and Karnataka, as a hub of innovation, will play crucial roles in this journey,” said Jaishankar.
Sharing a glimpse of what went behind establishing a US Consulate in Bengaluru Jaishankar said, “In 2023, as we prepared for Prime Minister Modi’s state visit, the establishment of this consulate became a priority. Prime Minister Modi himself emphasised its importance, remarking, ‘We need to get this done’. I told Ambassador Garcetti ‘If you get Bengaluru done, I’ll get Los Angeles done’. So, as we celebrate this milestone, I am happy to share that a new Indian consulate in Los Angeles will soon follow.”
Garcetti said it was during one of the preparatory meetings for the G20 Summit in 2023 that Jaishankar once again urged the US to open more consulates in India. “Since then, the Indian government has consistently pursued this request, and despite navigating through our bureaucracy in the US, President Biden included this commitment in the leaders’ joint statement with Prime Minister Modi. Today, a promise made is a promise kept,” said Garcetti.
He said Bengaluru, often called the ‘Silicon Valley of India’, has always been a key hub for commerce, diplomacy, culture, finance, and technology. “And as some say, Silicon Valley is increasingly becoming the “Bengaluru of America.” This new consulate symbolises the strengthening of that bridge, widening it to create more opportunities for collaboration in semiconductors, space exploration, defence, healthcare, science, and education,” he added.
The inaugural event was also attended by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, ministers Priyank Kharge and MB Patil and Lok Sabha MP Tejasvi Surya among others.
Who will benefit from US consulate in Bengaluru?
The US consulate in Bengaluru is expected to benefit all American-headquartered companies in Karnataka, business travellers from the country to the state and back, and tourists.
For people from Bengaluru and Karnataka, who want to travel to the US, the nearest consulate for visa interviews or renewals is 300 km away in Chennai. It is estimated that Chennai receives at least 450 visa-processing applications daily from South Karnataka.
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