The External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said that a new US Consulate in Bengaluru is essential for expanding and deepening ties with the United States of America. Speaking at the opening of the new US consulate in Bengaluru today, the minister pointed out that both the countries have potential to collaborate especially in the areas of technology such as AI, the Space sector, Defence, Drone, and biotechnology among others. He further said that the strategic ties with the US have the potential to establish a trusted supply chain. Since Bengaluru has a strong presence in the area of technology, and defence and has organisations like HAL, both India and Bengaluru will benefit from a consulate in Bengaluru. He noted that the Consulate in Bengaluru will help businesses, academia, tech companies and people in general and hoped that the new Consulate will soon start its Visa services here. S Jaishankar said that with deepening engagement with the world, India is in favour of countries opening their consulates across the country. He informed that India will soon open its consulate in Los Angeles. The Ambassador of the US to India Eric Garcetti and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar were present on the occasion of the site dedication ceremony where the new US Consulate was inaugurated in Bengaluru.