In Hyderabad

US Ambassador David C. Mulford has opened the Hyderabad US Consulate on October 24th.  This consulate which will initially start processing 100 Visas by Mid December will scale up to 300 Visas per day by January 2009.

Stating that the ceremony fulfilled President George Bush’s 2006 promise to open a new consulate in this “historic and important city”, he said Mr. Bush was a great friend and admirer of India.“The President has also been able to envision the impact this relationship can have on the world in future. As a result, we have seen enormous growth in the breadth and scope of the US-India relations”.Strategic partnershipTerming the US-India ties as “broad, deep and flourishing”, he said the unprecedented growth of the collaboration in the past four years encompassed everything from defence cooperation to agriculture, reflecting the widespread support in both countries to broaden existing ties and build new ones.Referring to the signing of the 123 Agreement by the two countries for civil nuclear cooperation, he said it capped eight years of efforts to elevate the bilateral relationship to a true strategic partnership.Diplomatic triumph“Hard work and creative negotiations by both the nations changed the American law and shepherded our agreement through international community in a “diplomatic triumph for both nations”.Appreciating the State government for leasing out the historic Paigah Palace to serve as a temporary consulate, he said Hyderabad was chosen in clear recognition of its importance as a major social, political and commercial centre.Momentous occasionChief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy described the opening of the US Consulate as a momentous occasion. It would result in avoiding 65,000 to 70,000 trips each year to Chennai by those seeking US visas.The Consul General of Hyderabad, Cornelis Keur, acted as the master of ceremonies.Sensitive issueIn a brief chat with reporters, Mr. Mulford said that outsourcing was a sensitive issue and it may not come down unless there was a major change in the economy.