New Delhi, February 23, 2024: During the 11th India-US bilateral Consular Dialogue, which took place in New Delhi on Friday, the United States and India strengthened their cooperation on consular matters. Facilitating professional and student mobility, expediting extradition procedures, guaranteeing safe and lawful migration, safeguarding the vulnerable, and permitting easy travel for citizens of both nations were among the main topics of conversation.
India-US bilateral Consular Dialogue :Strengthening Relationships:
People-to-people ties between India and the US are becoming increasingly important, as highlighted by the dialogue led by KJ Srinivasa, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Ambassador Rena Bitter, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs. Both parties applauded encouraging advancements like:
- An all-time high of over 1.4 million Indian visas were issued by the US in 2023, setting a new record. Furthermore, there has been a 75% reduction in the wait times for appointments for visitor visas, indicating notable efficiency gains.
- Increasing student exchange: In 2023, the US consular office issued over 140,000 student visas, which is a record for any country and the third year in a row. This increase demonstrates how Indian students in the US have more and more access to educational opportunities.
- Pilot program for visa renewals: Hailed as a proactive step toward streamlining procedures and building stronger ties between the two countries, the US launched a pilot program to expedite renewals for specific visa categories.
India-US bilateral Consular Dialogue : Addressing mutual concerns:
Beyond commemorative anniversaries, the conversation also covered persistent issues:
- Cooperation on extradition: Both parties underlined recent developments and pledged to continue simplifying procedures while acknowledging the need for increased cooperation on extradition issues.
- Safe and lawful migration: The conversation centered on stopping human trafficking and making sure those looking for opportunities to migrate legally are safe.
- Protecting vulnerable populations: Both parties committed to cooperating on measures to ensure the safety of women, children, and other vulnerable groups. This protection of these groups remained a top priority.
The commitment to continued cooperation and addressing new consular issues of shared interest was cemented at the dialogue’s conclusion with the decision to hold the next one in the US in 2025. India and the US hope to improve travel experiences, expand access to professional and educational opportunities, and put their citizens’ safety and well-being first by fortifying their ties.
