Ukraine war, visa matters on agenda during PM Modi's visit: US State Dept

The US State Department has said that the "war in Ukraine" and consular issues including visa matters will be on the agenda of PM Narendra Modi's US visit in June.

"Our partnership with India is one of our most consequential relationships. We work with India closely on our most vital priorities, and we expect ambassador (Eric) Garcetti to be able to deepen the relationship between our countries and work on these matters of shared concern," US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Wednesday.

Miller admitted that the US consular teams recognised the visa issue. "We obviously recognise that it's an area of concern and our consular teams have been making a huge push to process as many visa applications as possible in India, including those in visa categories that are key to the bilateral relationship. It is a top priority for our government, and I know it's a top priority for our embassy in the country."


Visa delays for Indians has been an area of concern for the Indian government.

Speaking on Modi's state visit to the US on June 22, Miller said: "Certainly, the war in Ukraine will be one of the topics that is under discussion. It's been one of the topics that have been under discussion in previous meetings with Prime Minister Modi, as it is in just about any conversation we have with a world leader at this time or has been the case for the past year".

Meanwhile, external affairs minister S Jaishankar met the US envoy here on Thursday. "Discussed the enormous progress in our relationship, especially over the last decade. Exchanged views on the recent Quad summit. Confident that India-US ties will continue to grow from strength to strength," Jaishankar tweeted following the meeting.

The White House recently said Modi's visit to the US will be an opportunity to reaffirm the deep, close partnership between US and India.

Modi's visit "will be an opportunity to reaffirm the deep and close partnership between the United States and India and the warm bonds of family and friendship that link America, Americans and clearly, Indians together. And so that's very important to the (US) president," said White House press secretary Karine Jean Pierre.