A file image of U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti.
| Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL
The US is working on its commitment to open a Consulate in Bengaluru next month, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on Thursday (December 19, 2024).
The US had earlier announced that it will open two new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.
Pointing out that the US was the only major country that does not have a consulate in Bengaluru, Garcetti said, “So we’re working very hard on that. I hope to announce some good news in that shortly, we already have the Foreign Commercial Service in Bengaluru… We are committed to seeing our commitment to opening up Bengaluru consulate, hopefully in January.”
He made the remarks during an interactive session organised by the US-India Business Council (USIBC) here.
Political leaders react
Welcoming the announcement, Karnataka Minister for IT/BT Priyank Kharge said: “This will be a huge boost for the Karnataka and it will further enhance the economic prowess of the State. It will help strengthen ties between India and the U.S., fostering closer diplomatic, technological and economic collaborations.”
BJP MP from Bengaluru South Tejasvi Surya expressed his excitement at seeing a “long-standing demand finally materialising” He said for years, the lack of a US Consulate in Bengaluru had forced residents to travel to Chennai or Hyderabad for visa work.
“I made it my Mission to fulfil this as the MP for this wonderful city….I wrote to EAM Dr S Jaishankar in November 2019, advocating for this critical need. He called it “a no-brainer & a compelling ask” and assured action during his Bengaluru visit in March 2023,” Mr. Surya added.
(With inputs from bureau)
Published – December 20, 2024 12:13 pm IST