India, US officials to discuss visa policies, children issues

WASHINGTON: Indian and American officials are slated to discuss aligning visa policies and children's issues between the two countries during the second US-India Consular Dialogue to be held in New Delhi on March 21, the state department has said.

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Janice Jacobs will travel to New Delhi leading her countries delegation to the second US-India Consular Dialogue, the State Department said.

Jacobs will be joined by James Herman, Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs to India, for talks with counterparts at the Ministry of External Affairs, it said.

The discussions will cover a wide range of consular issues, from the protection of citizens abroad to the facilitation of travel between the US and India.

"Agenda items include aligning US and Indian visa policies and children's issues. The United States encourages India's accession to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction," the State Department said.

While in New Delhi, Jacobs will address American and Indian business leaders at an event sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce in India.

"India is one of our most important trade and investment partners in the high technology sector, and Indian companies are a focus of our efforts to boost US growth through inward investment," a State Department official said.