Kumaraswamy pitches for U.S. consulate in Bengaluru

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Thursday pitched for a consulate of the United States of America in Bengaluru, during an interaction with U.S. Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster.

The Chief Minister spoke about the strong ties Karnataka had with the U.S. and said the setting up of the consulate would facilitate visa requirements of the citizens visiting the U.S., an official press release from the Chief Minister’s Office said. A large number of Kannadigas are working in the U.S. in prominent positions, while there was a rise in the number of tourists from Karnataka visiting the States, said Mr. Kumaraswamy.

He told Mr. Juster that the government would provide all infrastructure and other requirements such as land and building for the purpose.

Mr. Juster assured Mr. Kumaraswamy that he would place the request for a consulate in Bengaluru to higher authorities in the U.S. The Ambassador too sought the government’s help to resolve some infrastructure issues faced by about 370 U.S. companies in Bengaluru.

Chief Secretary K. Ratna Prabha briefed Mr. Juster about various development projects being carried out by the government to ease traffic and drinking water issues in the city.