Bengaluru, Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday met US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti in Delhi and asked him to set up a US consulate in Bengaluru.
During the meeting, they discussed various issues, highlighting Karnataka's status as India's leading technology hub.
Kharge also formally requested the establishment of a US consulate in Bengaluru and submitted a letter from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah underlining the importance of this initiative.
According to a statement shared by the minister's office, Kharge made a compelling case in favor of a US consulate in Bengaluru, citing the city's thriving business environment and frequent trips by residents for visa services to Chennai and Hyderabad.
With a significant number of students and tech professionals from Bengaluru visiting the US, a local consulate would speed up visa processing and greatly benefit the tech community.
On social media platform 'X', Kharge said: "A key theme of our conversation was the importance of establishing a US consulate in Bengaluru, which would significantly boost trade and investment relations. It would streamline access to visas, passports and other critical documents. consular services.
"Enhance bilateral cultural exchanges, educational collaborations and people-to-people ties. Provide essential support to the large American expatriate community in the city. Establishing a US consulate in Bengaluru would be a valuable asset to the diplomatic landscape of the city".
The US ambassador expressed a positive outlook regarding the establishment of a consulate, indicating that the matter would be reviewed after the US elections. Kharge has assured the Ambassador of his full support in this endeavour.
"The minister encouraged the formation of sister city partnerships between the US and cities beyond Bengaluru in Karnataka. This initiative aims to enhance economic, trade and technological investments, fostering important cultural exchanges in trade, health, education and technology". he stated.
The long-standing partnership between the US and Karnataka in technology has room for growth, he added.
Kharge highlighted the shared values and interests that establish this relationship, paving the way for accelerated development in the technology corridor. He outlined Karnataka's ambitious plans to set up a semiconductor hub, identifying four potential clusters within the state.
He highlighted the successful establishment of Apple's assembly line in Karnataka and expressed his desire to attract more American companies to set up operations in the state, emphasizing the state's potential to become India's leading electronics manufacturing hub. .
"Kharge's meeting with Ambassador Garcetti marks a significant step towards improving US-Karnataka relations and positioning the state as a global leader in technology and manufacturing," the statement said.
During the meeting, Kharge also mentioned how Karnataka is ready to launch India's first comprehensive GCC policy, crafted with inputs from industry leaders, academicians, entrepreneurs and various stakeholders.
"This pioneering initiative aims to maintain the state's leadership in the global GCC ecosystem. The policy will create a supportive environment for GCCs and attract investments by aligning with the unique ecosystem of Karnataka. The launch is expected to take place soon, which marks a significant step for the state," the statement added.
During the meeting, they discussed various issues, highlighting Karnataka's status as India's leading technology hub.
Kharge also formally requested the establishment of a US consulate in Bengaluru and submitted a letter from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah underlining the importance of this initiative.
According to a statement shared by the minister's office, Kharge made a compelling case in favor of a US consulate in Bengaluru, citing the city's thriving business environment and frequent trips by residents for visa services to Chennai and Hyderabad.
With a significant number of students and tech professionals from Bengaluru visiting the US, a local consulate would speed up visa processing and greatly benefit the tech community.
On social media platform 'X', Kharge said: "A key theme of our conversation was the importance of establishing a US consulate in Bengaluru, which would significantly boost trade and investment relations. It would streamline access to visas, passports and other critical documents. consular services.
"Enhance bilateral cultural exchanges, educational collaborations and people-to-people ties. Provide essential support to the large American expatriate community in the city. Establishing a US consulate in Bengaluru would be a valuable asset to the diplomatic landscape of the city".
The US ambassador expressed a positive outlook regarding the establishment of a consulate, indicating that the matter would be reviewed after the US elections. Kharge has assured the Ambassador of his full support in this endeavour.
"The minister encouraged the formation of sister city partnerships between the US and cities beyond Bengaluru in Karnataka. This initiative aims to enhance economic, trade and technological investments, fostering important cultural exchanges in trade, health, education and technology". he stated.
The long-standing partnership between the US and Karnataka in technology has room for growth, he added.
Kharge highlighted the shared values and interests that establish this relationship, paving the way for accelerated development in the technology corridor. He outlined Karnataka's ambitious plans to set up a semiconductor hub, identifying four potential clusters within the state.
He highlighted the successful establishment of Apple's assembly line in Karnataka and expressed his desire to attract more American companies to set up operations in the state, emphasizing the state's potential to become India's leading electronics manufacturing hub. .
"Kharge's meeting with Ambassador Garcetti marks a significant step towards improving US-Karnataka relations and positioning the state as a global leader in technology and manufacturing," the statement said.
During the meeting, Kharge also mentioned how Karnataka is ready to launch India's first comprehensive GCC policy, crafted with inputs from industry leaders, academicians, entrepreneurs and various stakeholders.
"This pioneering initiative aims to maintain the state's leadership in the global GCC ecosystem. The policy will create a supportive environment for GCCs and attract investments by aligning with the unique ecosystem of Karnataka. The launch is expected to take place soon, which marks a significant step for the state," the statement added.
