In his address, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of Bengaluru as a key location for the new consulate, noting its central role in India’s growing technological and innovation sectors. “Bengaluru is such an important place, it was for me an imperative that there is a permanent resident presence of American diplomats this time. It has been something long in waiting,” he said. He added that the consulate would serve to strengthen ties between the two countries, particularly in areas like technology, defence, and education.

Jaishankar also announced that India would soon be opening its own consulate in Los Angeles, the hometown of US Ambassador Garcetti. “I told him (Ambassador Garcetti) you get Bengaluru done, and I’ll get you Los Angeles done,” Jaishankar said, signaling the growing reciprocity between the two nations.

The External Affairs Minister highlighted the broader significance of the consulate’s opening, noting that it reflected India’s growing global engagement. “It is important that Bengaluru too realizes its potential in the relationship,” Jaishankar stated, underscoring how the city’s strategic role in India’s economic and technological sectors will play a crucial part in fostering stronger India-US ties. He also expressed hope that more countries would establish consulates in Bengaluru, further enhancing India’s connectivity with the world.

Looking ahead, Jaishankar outlined the future trajectory of the India-US partnership, particularly in the fields of technology, space, and defence. “Today, when we look at all the possibilities before us in an era of AI, EVs, space and drones, our relationships will be heavily based on technology, even more so than before,” he remarked. Jaishankar also pointed to the growing defence cooperation between the two countries, noting that, just two decades ago, there were virtually no American weapons in India’s military inventory. “Today we fly the C17s, the C130s, the Chinooks, the Apaches,” he added, underscoring the deepening defence ties between the two nations.

Education and research collaboration also featured prominently in Jaishankar’s speech. He expressed hope for expanded academic partnerships, including collaborative campuses and increased student exchanges, which would further solidify the growing educational ties between India and the United States. “I hope to see collaborative campuses, exchange of students and a stronger American education presence in this region,” he said.

In his closing remarks, Jaishankar reflected on the historical significance of the consulate’s opening, stating that it symbolized the overcoming of past hesitations in the relationship between the two countries. “The formal opening of this consulate is one more sign that we are overcoming the hesitations of history,” he said.

The opening of the US Consulate in Bengaluru marks a new chapter in India-US relations, reinforcing the deepening diplomatic, technological, and strategic ties between the two democracies. With further plans for enhanced cooperation in education, defence, space exploration, and technology, this new diplomatic presence signals a bright future for the India-US partnership.

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This was Misri’s first official visit to Japan in his current capacity, during which he held a series of discussions with senior Japanese officials. According to a release from the MEA, the Foreign Secretary conducted the inaugural round of the Dialogue on Economic Security, covering topics such as strategic trade, technology, and supply chain resilience.

In addition, Misri held the FS-Vice Ministerial Dialogue with Masataka Okano, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, where they reviewed the entire spectrum of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. The discussions encompassed various areas, including political relations, defence and security, economic cooperation, and people-to-people ties.

Misri also met with senior Japanese officials, including Takehiko Matsuo, Vice-Minister for International Affairs at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, to discuss economic and high technology cooperation. He further engaged with Keiichi Ichikawa, Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Secretariat and Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary, to discuss the security and economic partnership between the two countries.

The Foreign Secretary also met Yoshimichi Terada, Vice-Minister for International Affairs at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, to review cooperation on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project.

During his visit, Misri interacted with policymakers and senior officials from key Japanese ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Environment, JETRO, JICA, and JAXA, to further strengthen India-Japan relations.

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