India and US officials on Friday discussed ways of enhancing cooperation on a wide range of issues such as extradition, mobility of students and professionals, safe and legal migration, protection of vulnerable women and children and enabling smooth travel of their respective nationals during the 11th bilateral Consular Dialogue held in New Delhi.
The Indian delegation, led by Dr. K.J. Srinivasa, Joint Secretary (CPV) in the Ministry of External Affairs, hosted the US delegation, led by Ambassador Rena Bitter, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, US Department of State.
“The Dialogue reinforced the strong people-to-people ties and cooperation that both countries share across consular issues of mutual interest,” read the statement issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
“They welcomed the launch of a pilot in the US to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain categories of visas as proactive steps toward strengthening robust connections between people of the two countries,” the statement said.
Both sides agreed that the next Consular Dialogue will be held in 2025 in the USA.