A senior White House official has announced that “The United States intends to open new consulates in Ahmedabad and Bengalaru.
In response, India is also welcoming the opening of its consulate in Seattle in 2023 and is looking forward to announcing a new consulate within the United States.” This reciprocal approach reflects the commitment to fostering strong bilateral ties between the two countries.
The announcement has been made by the American government. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting USA and this announcement is beleived to be America’s signal of their intent to enhance their relationship and trade parternship with India.
This move aims to strengthen people-to-people relationships between the two nations. Last year, the US issued an impressive 125,000 visas to Indian students, reaching a record high. In fact, Indian students are on track to become the largest foreign student community in the United States, with a notable 20 percent increase in their numbers in the past year alone, as highlighted by a senior administration official.
In an effort to streamline and facilitate visa processes, the US Department of State will be launching a pilot program later this year to expedite domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas, with a particular focus on Indian nationals. The ultimate goal is to implement this program for a broader range of applicants, providing an expanded pool of individuals with an efficient visa adjudication process, as highlighted by the official.
Currently, India maintains five consulates in the United States, located in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta, in addition to its embassy in Washington. The US embassy in New Delhi is one of the largest diplomatic missions of the United States worldwide. This embassy oversees the activities of four consulates situated in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad, ensuring a robust and comprehensive US-India relationship throughout the country.
In a reciprocal move, India also has plans to establish a mission in Seattle, as stated by the official. This development signifies the mutual commitment of both nations to further strengthen their diplomatic ties and promote increased cooperation in various fields.
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