External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar joined US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, to inaugurate the US Consulate in Bengaluru. Describing the occasion as a significant milestone in India-US relations, Jaishankar also announced India’s plans to open a consulate in Los Angeles.
“Bengaluru is such an important place that having a permanent resident presence of American diplomats here was imperative,” Jaishankar stated. He revealed, “I told Ambassador Garcetti, ‘You get Bengaluru done, and I’ll get Los Angeles done,’ which is his hometown. So, we will soon be opening our consulate in Los Angeles. A consulate serves many purposes, a key part being to facilitate travel.”
Addressing the gathering, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of the consulate in furthering India-US relations. “This is a step long overdue. It’s now within our grasp to realize the full potential of India-US ties. Bengaluru, too, must realize its unique role in this relationship,” he said.
Jaishankar highlighted India’s broader diplomatic efforts, noting the country’s push for more embassies and consulates across India. “We are encouraging other countries to open consulates in Bengaluru. This will not only serve India’s interests but also benefit Karnataka and Bengaluru,” he added.
Jaishankar underscored the growing technological and defence collaboration between India and the US. “In this era of AI, EVs, space, and drones, our relationship is increasingly rooted in technology. The space domain, in particular, is opening up new opportunities. Defence collaboration has also grown tremendously. Two decades ago, American weapons were virtually absent from our inventory. Today, we operate C-17s, C-130s, Chinooks, and Apaches,” he said.
He also pointed to education and research as key areas of bilateral cooperation. “I look forward to collaborative campuses, greater student exchanges, and a stronger American education presence in this region. The opening of this consulate is another sign that we are overcoming the hesitations of history,” he remarked.
The US Consulate in Bengaluru is expected to strengthen diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties between the two nations while facilitating greater collaboration in sectors such as technology, defence, and education. Jaishankar concluded by expressing hope that more countries would follow suit, further cementing Bengaluru’s role as a hub of global engagement.
