Aizawl, June 14 NNN : Dean R. Thompson, the United States’ Consul General, Kolkata one of the most important elements in the U.S-India relation is due to the growing importance of eastern India.
Dean R Thompson said this while making his first trip to Mizoram today. The U.S diplomat met Mizoram chief minister Lal Thanhawla upon his arrival in Aizawl.
Dean R Thompson said the geographical importance is being increasingly recognized as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had highlighted in her recent visit to India, “we look forward towards the setting up of the New Silk Road, where the Northeast plays an important role as the region that connects India with neighbours in the East”.
The Consul General was visiting Mizoram as part of the strategic drive to improve U.S -India bi-lateral relations.
Dean Thompson then highlighted higher education opportunities in the U.S. for Indian students.
On his arrival, the Consul General visited the Vice Chancellor of Mizoram University, Prof. R. Lalthantluanga, after which an interactive session with undergraduate and post graduate students was held at the University’s New Administrative Conference Hall.
The Consul General said that the U.S-India relationship rests on the firm foundation of common ideals and that the strategic dialogue between the two countries is grouped into 5 principal pillars: Strategic Cooperation, Energy and Climate Change, Education and Development, Economics, Trade and Agriculture, Science, Technology, Health and Innovation.
He highlighted that education has become one of the main pillars in the bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries. He stated that there are currently more than 100,000 Indian students studying in the U.S, however, only 2,300 American students currently study in India, hence initiatives are being made such as the passport to India program designed to bring more American students to study in India.
The diplomat also said that the Obama-Singh 21st Century Knowledge Initiative provides $10 million for increased university partnerships and junior faculty development, exchange visits of faculty, administrators, Indian and US students. Then there is the Community College Initiative Program, the Summer Institutes for Scholars and professionals, the Sports Visitor program, and so on, he added. The U.S and Indian Governments have created “Education USA Centres” throughout India to help get clear and accurate information about opportunities to study in the U.S, and also offer individual counseling for interested individuals, Dean Thompson said.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/us-concerned-with-growing-importance-of-eastern-india/
