The United States inaugurated its long-awaited consulate in Bengaluru on Friday, January 17, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti presiding over the ceremony. The consulate, temporarily located at the JW Marriott Hotel on Vittal Mallya Road, will soon begin limited operations while a permanent facility is under development.
Ambassador Garcetti described the consulate as a “commitment that America makes to this great city and state,” adding that it fulfills a promise made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2023 visit to the United States.
“This is now America’s second-largest mission globally. While visa services will not be offered initially, we are working to bring them here in the near future,” he said. Garcetti credited Indian authorities for their persistent efforts, noting, “The Indian government has been pushing and pushing for this. A promise made is a promise kept.”
Speaking at the event, Union Minister Jaishankar said, “This was a long-standing demand, and a consulate in Bengaluru is one that this city deserves. Karnataka’s parliamentarians have consistently raised the need for it.” He also announced that India would soon open a consulate in Los Angeles, fulfilling a reciprocal commitment. “In 2023, I told Ambassador Garcetti, ‘You get Bengaluru done, and I will open Los Angeles.’”
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar called the inauguration a momentous occasion, reflecting on a 25-year journey to establish the consulate. “When SM Krishna was Chief Minister, we pushed for this with then-Prime Minister Vajpayee, and later, as External Affairs Minister, Krishna tried again. Today, thanks to Prime Minister Modi and Minister Jaishankar, we finally have it,” Shivakumar said. He emphasized Bengaluru’s role as a global hub of technology and innovation.
The consulate is expected to ease access to U.S. visas and related services for Karnataka’s residents, reducing reliance on consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. Officials estimate that a fully functional consulate could directly benefit more than half a million people, boosting student travel, business exchanges, and tourism between the two nations.
The opening is part of a broader diplomatic expansion announced by Biden and Modi, which includes a new U.S. consulate in Ahmedabad.