Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar reiterated the state's demand for a full-fledged US Consulate in Bengaluru during his meeting with US Ambassador Sergio Gor on Thursday. According to ANI, Shivakumar emphasized that Bengaluru's growing global prominence and role in driving India's economic growth make a strong case for establishing a full consulate, stating 'I am very happy that the entire world is looking at Bengaluru. Through Bengaluru, India is growing. That is why we are asking for a full-fledged US Consulate, not just a trade office. We assure you that we will provide the best possible place available in Karnataka.' The Chief Minister assured that the Government of Karnataka stands fully committed to the US-India relationship and pledged to provide the best possible location for the mission.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor highlighted the expanding American presence in Karnataka during his visit to the exclusive preview of the new exhibition 'Quantum' at Science Gallery Bengaluru. According to reports from Business Standard, Gor emphasized that Karnataka has more than 1,000 American companies, with their presence growing steadily, and said US firms are increasingly looking at India for partnerships and investment opportunities. The Ambassador's commitment to Karnataka was further demonstrated when he met industry leaders and government officials in New Delhi on Friday to advance bilateral collaborations across advanced manufacturing, technology, space, and environmental sectors. Gor said the US consulate in Chennai and the US Embassy in New Delhi were open to further engagement with the southern state, stating 'Whatever we can do to work together with you and take this relationship to the next level, you'll find an open and willing partner in us.'
The Ambassador highlighted the significant growth in bilateral trade between the US and India, stating that ten years ago, bilateral trade was $20 billion, and today it's over $240 billion. As reported by Business Standard, Gor pointed out that the US-India relationship is based on trust, with India conducting more military exercises with the US than with any other country and supplying 40 per cent of US generic pharmaceuticals. According to latest reports, Gor reported 'unmatched' interest from major firms Meta, Rolls-Royce, and Netflix in the past 24 hours alone, demonstrating continued corporate confidence in India as a key investment destination. Gor said the scale of US-India engagement was unmatched across sectors, with the two countries working together in areas ranging from AI and data centres to pharmaceuticals and defence sales. He noted that there is no other country where the US and India work together in every sector, stating 'When you look around the world, there is no other country that you can name a sector and the United States and India are working together on it.'
According to Business Standard, Pax Silica is a US-led international initiative launched in December 2025 to secure global supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and critical minerals. Gor explained that while countries might have the best technology, without critical materials like magnets or minerals, it doesn't matter what they have on the ground. He noted that the US had invited India to be among the first 10 countries to join Pax Silica, followed by others including Germany and Japan. Addressing the US-India Business Council's Critical Minerals Security Task Force, Gor emphasized secure supply chains, warning that technology is ineffective without critical minerals and touting India's inclusion in the US-led Pax Silica initiative. Gor said one of his priorities after arriving in India had been to get India into Pax Silica, which he described as a trusted supply-chain initiative aimed at ensuring that critical supply chains were not disrupted.
As reported by Business Standard, Gor highlighted the scale of US-India engagement across multiple sectors, stating that there is no other country where the US and India work together in every sector. He pointed to rising cooperation in energy, noting that US-India engagement in the energy sector has grown by 30 per cent over the previous year. The Ambassador emphasized that the US and India have limitless potential, with that potential going through Karnataka, and expressed the US consulate's openness to further engagement with the southern state. Highlighting the deepening partnership, Gor pledged continued cooperation, saying 'Whatever we can do to work together, you'll find an open and willing partner in us,' as the nations cooperate across defense sales and energy sectors. Gor noted that bilateral cooperation extends beyond traditional sectors to include defense, healthcare, advanced technology and resilient supply chains.
