The US Mission to India has already surpassed one million nonimmigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year…reports Asian Lite News
The US Embassy in India on Monday announced that it has opened an additional 250,000 visa appointments for Indian travellers, including tourists, skilled workers, and students.
“The recently released new slots will help hundreds of thousands of Indian applicants take timely interviews, facilitating the travel which is the backbone of the people-to-people ties that underpin the US-India relationship,” stated the US Mission to India.
It also detailed that the Indian Mission has already surpassed one million nonimmigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year.
“During our student visa season this summer, we continued to process record numbers, and all first-time student applicants were able to obtain an appointment at one of our five consular sections around India. We are now focused on bringing families together, connecting businesses, and facilitating tourism,” the statement added.
More than 1.2 million Indians have traveled to the United States year to date in 2024, a 35 per cent increase over the same period in 2023.
According to the US Mission, at least six million Indians already have a nonimmigrant visa to visit the United States, and each day, it issues thousands more.
The Embassy on Monday highlighted that the United States’ “partnership with India is stronger, closer, and more dynamic than any time in history” with the US Senate designating September 30 as a ‘US-India Partnership Day’, recognising the contribution of the two countries to one another and a relationship that continues to define the 21st century.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden set an ambitious goal to improve and expedite the visa process and I’m proud to say that we have delivered on that promise. Our consular teams at the embassy and four consulates work tirelessly to ensure that we meet the surging demand,” US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said recently.
Last week, during his visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the Indian government will open two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles.
“Last year, I announced the opening of a new Indian consulate in Seattle. I sought your suggestions for two additional Consulates. India has now decided to open two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles,” remarked PM Modi while interacting with the Indian diaspora in New York’s Nassau Coliseum.
Goyal meets entrepreneurs in New York
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, met with young Indian-origin CEOs and entrepreneurs in New York, emphasising the reforms introduced under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership that have driven India’s growth over the past decade.
In a post shared on X, Goyal wrote, “Great discussions with young CEOs and entrepreneurs of Indian origin in New York. Highlighted how key reforms under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership have driven India’s growth over the last decade, offering unmatched opportunities for businesses.”
He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to shared prosperity in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, robotics, artificial intelligence, and sustainable technologies.
He stated, “Invited American companies with expertise in high-tech manufacturing to ‘Make in India’ for the world. Reaffirmed our commitment to shared prosperity and collaboration, particularly in advanced manufacturing, robotics, AI, and sustainable technologies.”
The Union Minister also met with Chirag Patel and Chintu Patel, Co-CEOs of Amneal Pharmaceuticals, to explore ways to leverage India’s existing pharmaceutical ecosystem.
Sharing pictures on X, Goyal wrote, “Held a meeting with Chintu Patel, Co-CEO, and Chirag Patel, President and Co-CEO of Amneal Pharma, a global pharmaceutical company with a presence in five locations in India. We explored ways to further leverage India’s existing pharma ecosystem for high-end R&D, including biologics, enhancing manufacturing capabilities, and building a robust supply-chain network to serve the world.”
Earlier, Goyal noted that the “Make in India” initiative has significantly contributed to the positive trends in the latest gross value added (GVA) figures.
When asked about the initiative’s impact, Goyal told ANI, “I think it’s huge because this annual survey of industries reflects the growth in the manufacturing sector.”
He added, “The fact that we have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels, and that growth continues in a sustained manner in industries such as basic metals, coke and refined petroleum products, food production, chemical industries, and motor vehicles, shows that India is a combination of manufacturing and consumption-led growth. In other parts of the developed world, growth is largely consumption-led.” (ANI)
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