According to US Department of State Tammy Bruce, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Christopher Landau, the Deputy Secretary of State for the United States, met to discuss “ongoing efforts to reduce trade barriers” in order to achieve a fair and balanced bilateral trade relationship, strengthen defense and technology collaboration, and address “illegal immigration” to the United States.

In a statement issued by the US Department of State, Deputy Secretary Landau expressed gratitude to India for helping to combat illegal immigration to the US.

“They discussed ongoing efforts to reduce barriers to achieve a fair and balanced bilateral trade relationship, strengthen collaboration in defense and technology, and boost security and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” US Department of State’s spokesman, Tammy Bruce, stated.

“The Deputy Secretary also thanked the Foreign Secretary for India’s assistance addressing illegal immigration to the United States and asked the Government of India for continued cooperation on this issue,” she said, according to the US’ statement.

The important conversation takes place as the United States announces that it would begin imposing retaliatory tariffs on India on April 2.

During their conversation on Friday, the Foreign Secretary congratulated Misri on his recent confirmation by the US Senate and extended an invitation to Landau to visit India.

“Congratulating Deputy Secretary Landau on his recent confirmation by the US Senate, the Foreign Secretary underlined the deepening convergence of India-U.S. strategic interests and the significance of the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

“The two also discussed topics pertaining to mobility and migration, defense and technological collaboration, and the expansion of bilateral commerce. On issues of shared interest, both parties decided to stay involved,” MEA continued.

The US embassy in India recently reported the cancellation of around 2000 visa appointments that were created by bots in an effort to combat illegal immigration and travel agencies that breach US visa laws.
The embassy reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance against agents and fixers who break visa schedule regulations on Wednesday.

“Consular Team India is canceling about 2000 visa appointments made by bots,” the embassy said in a post on X. Agents and fixers that disobey our scheduling guidelines will not be tolerated.