India, US to discuss visa issues, travel

India and the US will discuss visa issues at the upcoming second round of consular dialogue later in the week. Assistant secretary of state for consular affairs Janice L Jacobs leaves on Wednesday for the dialogue, said a state department statement. “The discussions will cover a wide range of consular issues, from the protection of citizens abroad to the facilitation of travel between the United States and India,” the statement said. “Agenda items include aligning US and Indian visa policies and children’s issues.” It could not immediately be ascertained if they will discuss the issue of increasing rejection — or delay — of visas for professionals, specially L1. The two countries will also discuss the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which the US is encouraging India to sign. The 1980 convention, signed by 80 countries, prevents children from being taken away from their country of residence by one of their parents in the event of marital discord or breakdown. India is a signatory of the UN convention on the rights of the child and feels it doesn’t need to sign another convention. But many in India feel their government should sign up. 20 Mar 2012 http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Americas/India-US-consular-dialogue-to-cover-visa-policies/Article1-828005.aspx