US student visa applications have opened, says State Department official
The United States has officially opened student visa applications for the new academic season, a senior State Department official confirmed, even as talks with India on a crucial trade agreement continue ahead of a July 9 deadline.
Addressing reporters, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mignon Houston stated that student visa applications are now open. "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," Houston told ANI.
She emphasised that all visa decisions are tied to national security objectives. "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..." she added.
On trade relations, Houston highlighted India’s role in the Indo-Pacific region and confirmed that talks on a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) are ongoing. “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,” she said.
She also defended the US’s decision to impose tariffs. "I can say writ large as it relates to the United States' position that these tariffs are a way for countries to meet us at a place of fairness. The United States has an open economy, but there are unfair trade policies that have impacted US farmers and industries," Houston said.
US President Donald Trump earlier indicated optimism about the deal. “I think we are going to have a deal with India. And that is going to be a different kind of a deal. It is going to be a deal where we are able to go in and compete. Right now, India does not accept anybody in. I think India is going to do that, and if they do that, we are going to have a deal for much less tariffs,” Trump said.
Negotiations, which were initially scheduled for two days, have been extended. India's delegation, led by Chief Negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, remains in Washington as both sides work towards an interim deal before the July 9 cut-off.
A senior official warned that failure to reach consensus would result in the return of a 26 per cent tariff regime. “The failure of these trade discussions would trigger the immediate reimplementation of the 26 per cent tariff structure,” the official said. These tariffs were originally introduced on April 2 during the Trump administration and were paused for 90 days to allow space for negotiations.
(With inputs from ANI)
Addressing reporters, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mignon Houston stated that student visa applications are now open. "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," Houston told ANI.
She emphasised that all visa decisions are tied to national security objectives. "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..." she added.
On trade relations, Houston highlighted India’s role in the Indo-Pacific region and confirmed that talks on a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) are ongoing. “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,” she said.
She also defended the US’s decision to impose tariffs. "I can say writ large as it relates to the United States' position that these tariffs are a way for countries to meet us at a place of fairness. The United States has an open economy, but there are unfair trade policies that have impacted US farmers and industries," Houston said.
US President Donald Trump earlier indicated optimism about the deal. “I think we are going to have a deal with India. And that is going to be a different kind of a deal. It is going to be a deal where we are able to go in and compete. Right now, India does not accept anybody in. I think India is going to do that, and if they do that, we are going to have a deal for much less tariffs,” Trump said.
Negotiations, which were initially scheduled for two days, have been extended. India's delegation, led by Chief Negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, remains in Washington as both sides work towards an interim deal before the July 9 cut-off.
A senior official warned that failure to reach consensus would result in the return of a 26 per cent tariff regime. “The failure of these trade discussions would trigger the immediate reimplementation of the 26 per cent tariff structure,” the official said. These tariffs were originally introduced on April 2 during the Trump administration and were paused for 90 days to allow space for negotiations.
(With inputs from ANI)
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