Multimedia
Speeches and Remarks 2006
October 5, 2006 (
AUDIO)
As prepared for delivery
Statement by
David C. Mulford
U.S. Ambassador to India
In the Consular Section
U.S. Embassy, New Delhi
Relations between the United States and India have never been better. In fact, our people have been establishing business and people-to-people contacts in far greater numbers than anyone ever predicted. There has been enormous growth in the movement of people between our two countries, and the U.S. Mission is making it a priority to make this process easier.
We have had important successes in this area. More than 80,000 Indian students are studying this year in the United States, and all students were able to get their visa interview in time for the opening of classes. New business between our two countries has grown exponentially, and we have taken measures to facilitate the movement of business travelers.
There is a need, however, to do much more. The United States prides itself on providing quality service -in both business and in government. One of the most important services the U.S. Mission provides in India is to make the process of traveling to the United States as easy as possible. We are clearly not doing this today, and we are sensitive to the inconvenience and long waits for appointments which have characterized our visa processing system in recent months.
Whether your plan is to visit the United States on business, for study, to visit relatives and friends, or just to see the natural beauty and diversity of America, our Embassy and Consulates want to do what we can to facilitate travel to the U.S. by Indians.
We have therefore made a Mission-wide commitment to reduce the waiting time for a visa appointment, with the goal of eliminating this waiting period altogether, except, of course, where it is an individual's preference to make an appointment for some future date to fit their own plans.
Beginning today, I want to encourage people who already have a visa appointment to visit the Embassy's appointments website (www.vfs-usa.co.in) to advance the schedule of their appointment. We have appointment openings available in the near term at all Consulates, and our aim is to make this replacement permanent.
Nothing is more important for the future of our two countries than the strong and growing bond of business and people-to-people contact. Strengthening these connections is the future of U.S.-Indian relations, and we have begun this today.
Thank you.
