Tag Archives: embassy

Indian Ambassador Talks Trade With Wisconsin Governor

Ambassador of India to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers today held a virtual meeting and discussed trade and investment as well as people-to-people relations between Wisconsin and India.

Both discussed strategies to tap the potential in the agriculture, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors common to India and Wisconsin that would lead to win-win outcomes for both. The Ambassador briefed the Governor about the initiatives India has taken in healthcare and education and discussed collaboration in these sectors.

India and Wisconsin share a robust trade and investment relationship. The total trade between India and Wisconsin is over US $1 billion. Many Indian companies in the IT, engineering services, medical equipment, and manufacturing sectors have invested in Wisconsin.

These companies have invested close to $185 million in Wisconsin, creating over 2,460 jobs in the state. They also add value to local economies and communities through their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Similarly, Wisconsin-based companies in the automobile, electrical equipment, financial services, and technology sectors have established a strong presence in India. They include Harley Davidson, Rockwell Automation Inc., ManPower Group, etc.

The Indian community has a vibrant presence in Wisconsin, which is also an important destination for Indian students. Close to 1,500 Indian students are studying in educational institutions in Wisconsin.

India has a strong education connection with Wisconsin. The tradition of Indian studies started on the University of Wisconsin campus in the mid-1880s when a Professorship of Sanskrit was established.

Renowned biochemist Dr. Hargobind Khorana received his Nobel Prize in 1968 for research he conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was on faculty.

The Ambassador underscored the need to revive and strengthen the university-to-university linkages between India and the U.S., including in the fields of R&D and bio-health.

Ambassador Sandhu and Governor Evers agreed to further strengthen the multifaceted engagement between India and the state of Wisconsin.

This information comes from the Embassy of India based in D.C.

OCI Holders Can Fly Back to India

The Government of India has decided to also permit following categories of Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders who are stranded abroad including in the US to travel back to India by Special Flights:

  • Minor children born to Indian nationals abroad and holding OCI cards.
  • OCI cardholders who wish to come to India on account of family emergencies like a death in the family.
  • Couples where one spouse is an OCI cardholder and the other is an Indian national and they have a permanent residence in India.
  • University students who are OCI cardholders (not legally minors) but whose parents are Indian citizens living in India.
  1. All OCI cardholders who satisfy the above conditions are requested to register themselves. Those OCI cardholders who had registered earlier are also required to register online again.
  2. The OCI cardholders will not require any fresh emergency visas if they fall into one of the categories mentioned in para 1 above.
  3. In view of a limited number of seats and a large number of registrations, eligible OCI cardholders would be accommodated in the non-scheduled commercial flights on the basis of availability of seats.
  4. The cost of travel from designated airport in the USA to the designated airport in India will be borne by the passenger.
  5. The Embassy/Consulates will share the details of passengers identified with Air India Offices that will contact them directly regarding booking of tickets and mode of payment. Refund or adjustments, if any, for previously booked tickets may be processed separately with Air India.
  6. All passengers will be required to undergo medical screening before boarding the flight and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to travel.
  7. All passengers on arrival in India will be medically screened and would have to download and register on Arogya Setu app.
  8. All passengers will need to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine on arrival in India in institutional quarantine facilities on a payment basis as per the protocols framed by the Government of India. COVID test would be done after 14 days and further action would be taken according to applicable health protocols.
  9. All passengers will have to follow the protocols and procedures including Health Protocols issued by the Government of the USA on departure and by the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Civil Aviation and other concerned authorities of Government of India before, during the journey and on arrival in India.
  10. All passengers will be required to sign an Undertaking, which will be collected from them at the airport before boarding the flight.

Issued by the Embassy of India, Washington D.C.