Efforts on to make visa processing easier; US diplomat

COIMBATORE: The United States is working to make visa processing easier for Indians who wish to visit the country, a senior American diplomat has said.

Reforms are being carried out with respect to filing of applications and processing of visas, including those of scientists, David T Hopper, US Consul General in Chennai, who visited the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University here on Saturday evening, said.

Appreciating the contribution of agriculture to India's GDP to the extent of 25 per cent as well as providing employment to about 60 to 65 per cent of the population, Hopper, however said that conflicting views were reported on BT Cotton by the media and different social groups.

Ultimately, farmers should be benefited by getting higher prices for their cotton produce, he said, adding that the key to the success of bio-technology in India was keeping people informed through the media.

Hopper said that Indo-US cooperation witnessed its heydays during the period of green revolution in India.

Though the cooperation in the field declined later, it was once again revived with the visit of US President George Bush to India last year, Hopper said.