US-India Partnership Reaches New Heights, Says Ambassador Eric Garcetti

New Delhi, January 19, 2025: US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, expressed his gratitude for the strong partnership between the United States and India, attributing its unprecedented growth to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden. During a visit to meet PM Modi with his family on Sunday, Garcetti emphasized that the two leaders have propelled US-India relations to new heights, achieving historic milestones across various sectors.

In a heartfelt post shared on X, Garcetti reflected on the deepening ties between the two nations, noting the record-breaking achievements in areas such as visa processing, trade, defense collaboration, space exploration, student exchanges, and investments. He wrote, “Had a great final visit with PM Modi with my family. It’s clear that he and President Biden have raised our compelling and consequential US-India partnership to new heights–record visas, record trade, record defense collaboration, record space cooperation, record students, record investments and so much more.”

Garcetti highlighted that the US-India partnership has evolved into a key pillar of global cooperation, with both countries poised to continue strengthening their collaboration in the years ahead. He added, “What was seen as unthinkable a generation ago will seem as indispensable a generation from now, thanks to the work of these leaders and the people of our nations. Thank you Prime Minister and thank you to all Indians. It’s been a daily joy to help co-write this chapter with you.”

The US Ambassador also took the opportunity to thank PM Modi and the people of India for their warm hospitality during his final visit to India. His sentiments underscored the significance of the growing partnership, emphasizing that the ties between the two nations are now more robust and essential than ever before.

In addition to his visit to meet PM Modi, Garcetti attended the inauguration of the new US Consulate office in Bengaluru on Friday. While speaking at the ceremony, he clarified that the US is not introducing a new presence in India but rather expanding its existing footprint. “We are not beginning a new presence here. In Karnataka, but we are expanding our existing presence here, a commitment that America makes to this great state and city in this amazing nation as well,” Garcetti stated.

He also touched upon the long and rich history of US-India relations, referencing the establishment of the US’s second-ever consulate in Kolkata in 1776, shortly after the American nation’s independence. Garcetti remarked that the inauguration of the US Consulate office in Bengaluru marks a natural continuation of the US’s long-standing relationship with India.

“We’ve been talking about this for a long, long time, right? We start together to make sure this beginning plants a seed that will flower for decades to come,” he said. He noted that the expansion of US diplomatic and commercial presence in India, including the recent addition of consulates and offices, symbolizes a deeper commitment to the bilateral relationship.

As part of his remarks, Garcetti emphasized that the US diplomatic mission in India is now the second largest in the world, producing the second most visas globally and facilitating the highest number of students exchanges. The Ambassador proudly mentioned that the growing collaboration spans numerous fields, from military exercises to space exploration, and represents a significant aspect of the future trajectory of US-India ties.

The US-India partnership, Garcetti concluded, is a testament to the shared values and aspirations of the two democracies, and its continued growth will be crucial for shaping global developments in the coming decades.