NEW DELHI: US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, appreciated the growing partnership between India and the United States, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden for elevating the relationship to unprecedented levels.

During his final visit to India with his family, Garcetti met PM Modi and lauded the significant achievements under their leadership. He highlighted milestones in various sectors such as visas, trade, defense, space, education, and investments, calling them "record-breaking."

In a heartfelt post on  the social media X, Garcetti wrote, “Had a great final visit with PM Modi with my family.  He expressed deep gratitude for the hospitality he received in India, emphasizing that the US-India partnership has become an essential bond that will only strengthen in the years ahead. "Thank you, Prime Minister, and thank you to all Indians. It’s been a daily joy to help co-write this chapter with you,” he added.

Expanding US Presence in India

While inaugurating the US Consulate office in Bengaluru on Friday, Garcetti highlighted the importance of this new development. He explained that the opening of the consulate wasn’t the start of US engagement in Karnataka but a significant expansion of an already strong presence.

The ambassador reflected on the long history of US-India relations, noting that the US established its second-ever consulate in Kolkata, India, back in 1776, shortly after America’s independence. This rich history, he said, underscores the importance of India to the United States from its earliest days as a nation.

“Our relationship with India is not new. Many Americans don’t know, and very few Indians know, that our second consulate in the world was here in India. The first, after the independence of a new America in 1776, was in Lyon, France, and then the second was in Kolkata, showing back then the importance of India to a new American nation,” Garcetti said.

A Partnership Breaking Records

Garcetti highlighted how the US mission in India has grown into the second-largest in the world, producing record numbers across the board. From issuing visas to welcoming Indian students to hosting military exercises, the collaboration between the two nations continues to set new benchmarks.

“This is now the second-largest US mission in the world.  We are breaking records every single year--record employees, record visas, record students, record military exercises, record engagement from the seabed to space,” Garcetti concluded.

With these achievements and the continued efforts of both nations, the US-India partnership is poised to become even more pivotal in the global arena.
US-India Ties, Eric Garcetti, Narendra Modi, President Biden, US-India Partnership, Global Diplomacy