The United States officially opened its highly anticipated consulate in Bengaluru on Friday, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti leading the inaugural ceremony. This milestone marks a crucial step in providing easier visa-related services to Bengaluru residents, who previously had to travel to Chennai or Hyderabad for such assistance.
Currently operating from a temporary location at the JW Marriott Hotel on Vittal Mallya Road, the consulate is expected to move to a permanent facility in the near future.
In his remarks, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of Bengaluru, calling it essential for the city to have a permanent U.S. diplomatic presence. He humorously noted to Garcetti, “You get Bengaluru done and I’ll get you Los Angeles done,” referring to the upcoming opening of a U.S. consulate in Garcetti’s hometown.
Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, celebrated the inauguration as a significant moment for the region, while BJP MP Tejasvi Surya highlighted how the new consulate underscores Bengaluru’s growing global significance. Surya pointed out that the consulate will greatly benefit local residents, including students, professionals, and families, by simplifying U.S. visa and travel processes.
Ambassador Garcetti stressed that the consulate’s opening was part of expanding the U.S. diplomatic presence in India, rather than establishing a new one. He credited Jaishankar with the idea, adding that it was a promise that had now been fulfilled.
Drawing a comparison between Bengaluru and Silicon Valley, Garcetti remarked, “As people call Bengaluru the ‘Silicon Valley’ of India, I call Silicon Valley the Bengaluru of America.”
Although visa services are not yet available, Garcetti reassured attendees that they will be introduced soon. He expressed hope for a significant increase in U.S.-bound students, tourists, and business travelers, stating, “We want to see more tourists. We want to see more students. We want to see more businessmen and women coming.”
The consulate’s opening is expected to streamline visa processing for Bengaluru’s residents, marking an important milestone in the strengthening relationship between India and the United States.
Recent Random Post:
