RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1354
ANSWERED ON- 11/12/2025
FULL CONSULAR OPERATIONS IN BENGALURU
1354. SHRI NARAYANA KORAGAPPA
SHRI JAGGESH
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) whether it is a fact that Government has determined a clear timeline for commencing full consular operations, including visa issuance, at the newly inaugurated U.S. Consulate in Bengaluru;
(b) whether Government has formulated a phased operational rollout plan for the Bengaluru Consulate and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Government has assessed the expected advantages of new Bengaluru Consulate for students, professionals and business travellers in terms of processing capacity and improved access to services; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to d) The establishment and operationalisation of U.S. Consulates abroad, including the commencement of full consular and visa services at the newly inaugurated U.S. Consulate in Bengaluru, fall within the purview of the Government of the United States.
Foreign Consulates in addition to providing consular, visa and citizen-services, support trade, investment, educational, cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Enhanced consular capacity by foreign missions contributes to improved access for Indian students, professionals, businesspersons and leisure travellers. The Ministry of External Affairs regularly engages with foreign missions, including that of the United States, to facilitate efficient consular service delivery for Indian citizens.
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