Members of the Friends of United States of America, a society formed to strengthen India-U.S. ties, honoured Robert Burgess, Consul General of the United States, Chennai, on Saturday. They also requested the U.S. consulate to be more liberal in issuing visas for Indians.
Diplomats from the Consulate joined the function and the reception dinner organised by Friends of United States of America on Saturday.
Welcoming Mr. Burgess and his team of consulate officials, G. Viswanathan, the organisation’s president and VIT University Vice-Chancellor, said several students from the U.S. were pursuing course in VIT University.
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Pointing out that the Indian government issued e-visas to U.S. citizens, he said the Consul General must help provide similar facility to Indians visiting the U.S.
Mr. Burgess said several Indian visitors and students were provided visas.
The Fulbright scholarship programme had helped foster academic exchanges between the two countries. He also extended his support to the organisation.
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Elaborating on the Friends of United States of America, founder president K.N. Ranganathan said the association was formed in 1980 and aimed to promote cultural exchanges between the two nations.
The charity organisations in both the countries are provided with support.
Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Chennai Achim Fabig, British Deputy High Commissioner Bharath Joshi and industralist Venu Srinivasan were among those present on the occasion.