New Delhi, Feb 24:
The 11th bilateral Consular Dialogue between India and US took place here on Friday to reinforce the strong people-to-people ties and cooperation on issues of mutual interest, said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.
The Indian delegation, led by K.J. Srinivasa, joint secretary (CPV) in the Ministry of External Affairs, hosted the US delegation led by ambassador Rena Bitter, assistant secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, US Department of State.
MEA said, “Both sides discussed ways of enhancing cooperation on a wide range of issues such as extradition, mobility of students and professionals, safe and legal migration, protection of vulnerable women and children and enabling smooth travel of their respective nationals”.
The delegation also welcomed the launch of a pilot programme in the U.S. to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain categories of visas as proactive steps toward strengthening robust connections between people of the two countries.
Both sides agreed to hold the next Consular Dialogue in the US next year, the MEA said.
