Washington DC: US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mignon Houston on Wednesday (local time) stated that student visa applications for the United States are now open and encouraged students to apply, while underlining that all visa decisions are taken keeping US national security in mind.
Speaking to ANI, Houston said, “Our student visa applications have opened, students can apply and submit their application but what we want students to understand when they’re applying for that visa, we want them to understand that we want to see a use of that visa that is in line with their application and the students come to the United States and study and not obstruct students from studying in class, not to vandalize campuses.”
She added, “Every decision we make is a US national security decision. We have these policies with the US immigration law to ensure that we are holding the highest standard for US immigration... not only to protect US citizens but also the other students studying here...”
US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mignon Houston also told ANI that India is an “essential partner” for Washington in the Indo-Pacific region, as talks continue for a bilateral trade agreement between the two nations.
Speaking to ANI, Houston underlined the United States’ aim of establishing a “fair and reciprocal” trade relationship with its partners, in line with the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda. “We want trade that is fair and reciprocal. Working closely, India is an essential partner in the Indo-Pacific and the Quad. We expect that all our partners understand why this is so important to the ‘America First’ agenda, that we look for trade policies that have a fairness, reciprocal, balanced way to ensure that all parties benefit,” Houston told ANI. (ANI)
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