Dr Srinivasa KJ (R) and Rena Bitter during the India-US Consular Dialogue in New Delhi. (India Sentinels photo via special arrangement.)
New Delhi: The 11th India-United States Bilateral Consular Dialogue was held here in the national capital, on Friday, hosted by the Indian foreign ministry’s joint secretary (consular, passport, and visa division) Dr Srinivasa KJ, who led the Indian delegation. The US delegation was led by Rena Bitter, the assistant secretary of the consular bureau in the US state department.
The dialogue reaffirmed the close cooperation and strong people-to-people ties that exist between the two countries on various consular matters of common interest.
The two sides exchanged views on how to improve cooperation on a broad spectrum of issues, such as extradition, mobility of students and professionals, safe and legal migration, protection of vulnerable women and children and facilitating smooth travel of their respective citizens.
They also expressed their appreciation for the launch of a pilot programme in the US to process domestic renewals of certain categories of visas, as a positive measure to enhance the robust connections between the people of the two countries.
The two sides agreed to convene the next consular dialogue in the US, next year.
Some key takeaways from this dialogue:
* The dialogue reflects a commitment to strengthening people-to-people ties between India and the US.
* Discussions focused on facilitating travel, visas, and ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations.
* The success of the visa-renewal pilot program was acknowledged as a positive step forward.
* Continued collaboration on consular issues is expected through the next dialogue in the US.
