Setting up of US Consulate a milestone: Surya

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya on Friday said the setting up of a US Consulate here in the second week of January 2025 would be a historic milestone for the city, as US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, finally announced the operations of the consular office here. He said the opening of the Consulate marks the culmination of years of persistent efforts to address a long-standing demand from the citizens of Bengaluru.

According to a statement, since taking office in 2019, Surya had pushed for the opening of the Consulate in Bengaluru, which contributes 40 per cent of India's IT revenue and is home to lakhs of tech professionals. He had highlighted the absence of a dedicated US Consulate in the city compelled thousands of residents to travel to Chennai or Hyderabad for US visa-related services.

"Surya highlighted that Bengaluru's 750 multinational companies, including 370 US-based firms, and the large number of students and entrepreneurs traveling to the US, made a compelling case for a consulate," it stated.