ADVERTISEMENTs
.png)
Bengaluru to get its own American consulate
While consular services will not commence immediately, the Bengaluru post is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing bilateral cooperation.
The United States has expanded its diplomatic presence in India by announcing the establishment of a new consulate in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The site for the establishment of the fifth U.S. consulate in India, was dedicated during a formal ceremony attended by U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Jan. 17.
The Bengaluru consulate aims to strengthen the U.S.-India ties by expanding diplomatic engagement on economic and political issues, conducting public diplomacy, and enhancing commercial services in Karnataka, which is home to nearly 700 U.S. companies and tens of thousands of U.S. citizens.
“Our relationship truly extends from the seabed to the stars, and nowhere is that truer than in Bengaluru,” said Ambassador Garcetti. “The innovation and entrepreneurship here – from semiconductors to space – mirror that of Silicon Valley in my home state of California.”
As India’s Silicon Valley, Bengaluru has long been at the center of U.S.-India collaboration in technology, defense, and business. Its importance in the U.S.-India collaboration is further highlighted by ongoing space projects, including the upcoming launch of the jointly developed NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite and a mission involving NASA-trained Indian astronauts.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar expressed optimism about the growing partnership, stating, “Today, we stand closer than ever to realizing the full potential of the India-U.S. relationship. Bengaluru, as a hub of innovation and growth, will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping this future.”
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar echoed these sentiments, adding, “This is more than just the establishment of a diplomatic mission. It is a testament to the enduring ties between the United States and Karnataka, a state that has consistently been at the forefront of India’s development and innovation.”
The establishment of the consulate fulfills a commitment made by President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Prime Minister’s state visit to Washington, D.C., in June 2023.
The U.S. first established a presence in Bengaluru in 1993 with a Commercial Service post. The new consulate solidifies the city’s role as a strategic link in the growing U.S.-India partnership.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
ADVERTISEMENT
.jpg)
Video
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login