PM Modi Washington: Prime Minister begins his first US state visit on June 21. This would be his first visit to the United States since Joe Biden took over as President.Both countries have high expectations from this visit which will span 3 days. Modi will also address a joint session of the US Congress.Meanwhile, two Congressmen have urged the State Department to reduce the visa wait times for first-time B1 and B2 applicants.
Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee expressed his concern over visa delays in a meeting. He told the officials, “The United States enjoys strong people-to-people ties with India. India is now part of the QUAD. We are constantly engaging it in geostrategic interests that we have. New Jersey is home to a great number of Indian Americans and their families. I appreciate and applaud the department’s heightened focus towards reducing wait times for first-time B1-B2 applicants in India.”
However, the Senator wanted to know the specific steps: “But despite that progress this past year, India continues to face the longest wait times globally with average wait times for an appointment for the first-time B1-B2 applicant ranging between 450 and 600 days. Could you please speak to me as to why that is the case?”
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One of the most consequential relationships
Michael Waltz, Co-Chair of the House India Caucus said, “With our trade over USD 150 Billion, with the consequential relationship, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi coming for a state dinner and visit just this month, what are we doing to fix this?”
“Things are improving”
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter said that the State Department is taking all the possible steps to reduce visa-processing times.
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