US Consulate Set to Open in Bengaluru by Second Week of January 2025: BJP MP Tejasvi Surya
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Bengaluru, Dec 20 (NationPress) The upcoming establishment of a US Consulate in Bengaluru during the second week of January 2025 represents a significant milestone for the city, stated Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, as US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, officially announced its operations.
Surya expressed his gratitude for the cooperation and dedication of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in facilitating the US Consulate's arrival in Bengaluru.
This Consulate's opening is seen as the culmination of years of tireless efforts to fulfill a long-standing demand from the people of Bengaluru, Surya remarked on Friday.
In a tweet expressing his appreciation, Surya noted, “This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and the unwavering support of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Their dedication to advancing Bengaluru’s interests has made this long-awaited demand a reality. I also extend my thanks to US Ambassadors Kenneth Juster and Eric Garcetti for their continuous support.”
The opening of the Consulate is anticipated to streamline visa application processes for countless students, professionals, and entrepreneurs, boost bilateral trade and collaboration, especially in the technology and innovation sectors, and fortify Bengaluru’s status as a global hub for commerce and technology, Surya indicated.
Since taking office in 2019, Surya has been an advocate for the Consulate's establishment in Bengaluru, a city contributing 40 percent of India’s IT revenue and home to millions of tech professionals.
He emphasized that the lack of a dedicated US Consulate in the city forced thousands of residents to travel to Chennai or Hyderabad for US visa-related services.
In November 2019, he reached out to External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, underscoring Bengaluru’s vital role in Indo-US relations. Surya pointed out that Bengaluru hosts 750 multinational companies, including 370 US-based firms, and has a substantial number of students and entrepreneurs traveling to the US, making a strong case for a consulate.
Dr. Jaishankar’s remarks during his visit to Bengaluru in March 2023 highlighted the initiative's significance. Referring to it as a “no-brainer” and a “compelling ask,” he assured that the matter would be prioritized in his upcoming meeting with then Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken.
Surya also discussed the issue with former US Ambassador to India, Dr. Kenneth Juster, in 2020, reiterating Bengaluru’s crucial role in bolstering US-India relations.
The pivotal moment came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States in 2023, where he declared the establishment of a US Consulate in Bengaluru on a reciprocal basis. Subsequently, plans have been in motion to finalize the location for the Consulate in Bengaluru. US Ambassador Eric Garcetti confirmed the Consulate’s inauguration in January 2024 during a US-India Business Council meeting on Thursday.
