US envoy aims for B’luru consulate in upcoming year

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Eric Garcetti, the U.S. ambassador to India, expressed optimism regarding the potential establishment of the American consulate in Bengaluru in the upcoming year.

Speaking at the U.S.- India Commercial Space Cooperation Conference, Garcetti recalled the announcement made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2023 state visit to the United States, where he and President Joe Biden had declared plans to open two additional consulates in India.

Reflecting on the announcement, Garcetti said, "He (Modi) and President Biden announced that we would open not just one, but two more consulates on top of our five hosts in India, and one of them would be right here in Bengaluru. It sometimes takes 5-10 years (to establish a consulate). I said, let’s see if we can get it done this coming year. So we’re so excited to do that."

In 2023, the U.S. unveiled intentions to establish new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad (Gujarat), supplementing the existing consulates in Mumbai (Maharashtra), Kolkata (West Bengal), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), and Hyderabad (Telangana), along with the U.S. embassy in New Delhi.

Additionally, India disclosed plans to set up a mission in Seattle, adding to its consulates in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, and Atlanta, along with the embassy in Washington.