BENGALURU, Jan 17: On Friday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that the long-awaited opening of the US consulate in Bengaluru marks a significant milestone in India-US relations. He urged American officials to expedite the commencement of visa operations at the new facility as soon as possible.
“This will be my top agenda item when I meet Secretary (of State Nominee Marco) Rubio. The sooner we can have this operational, the better,” Jaishankar stated.
The minister was in Bengaluru to attend the dedication ceremony for the fifth US consulate in India, which is set to begin operations shortly.
During the event, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti noted that visa services would not be available at the consulate immediately.
Jaishankar referenced statistics aimed at encouraging the US to expedite visa processing from Bengaluru. “I reviewed some numbers and was pleased to find that last year, the Regional Passport Office in Bengaluru issued 883,000 passports. That’s a substantial figure for just one year. It underscores the importance of facilitating smooth travel,” he remarked.
He also mentioned that currently, there are three flights per week connecting Bengaluru to San Francisco, adding, “If Boeing and Airbus fulfill their commitments, we can expect more. That’s a reasonable expectation.”
Jaishankar described the establishment of the US consulate in Bengaluru as “long-anticipated.” He asserted, “This is something Bengaluru rightfully deserved and expected.”
“Bengaluru has such a vital role that it’s imperative to have a permanent presence of American diplomats here,” Jaishankar continued. He also noted that during his visits to the city over the past five years, he has frequently been asked, ‘When is the consulate coming?’ by various sectors of society—business leaders, tech professionals, academics, and even casual encounters in restaurants.
He recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the need for a Bengaluru consulate during his visit to the US in June 2023. Jaishankar added that India had committed to opening a consulate in Los Angeles if the US would proceed with the Bengaluru consulate. He expressed optimism that this development would enhance cooperation in defense and education.
“The formal establishment of this consulate reflects our ability to move beyond historical hesitations. We are now on the verge of fully realizing the potential of India-US relations. It’s crucial for Bengaluru to recognize its role in this partnership,” Jaishankar stated.
In his speech, departing US Ambassador Garcetti expressed his satisfaction that overseeing the establishment of the Bengaluru consulate would be one of his final tasks in India. He highlighted the long-standing relationship between the two nations, noting that India was the site of America’s second consulate worldwide. “Following America’s independence in 1776, we opened a consulate in Lyon, France, followed by one in Kolkata, demonstrating India’s significance to the emerging nation,” Garcetti explained.
He added that India has grown to be the second-largest diplomatic mission for the US globally, generating record numbers in visas, students, and military collaborations year after year.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, also present at the dedication ceremony, remarked that the new consulate signifies Karnataka’s rising prominence on the global stage. “Bengaluru is now viewed as a focal point for India. Although the city faces various challenges, it remains the safest place in the country for global firms to establish their headquarters,” Shivakumar noted.
Other notable attendees included MP Tejasvi Surya, Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development M.B. Patil, and Karnataka Minister for IT and BT Priyank Kharge, along with several entrepreneurs, including Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, executive chairperson and founder of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Limited. (PTI)
