PANAJI
On a business-cum-personal trip to Goa, the consul general of the United States at Mumbai, Mike Hankey has taken notice of the fracas at Mormugao last week where a skirmish between taxi and tour operators forced several cruise ship passengers, including Americans, to abandon their planned excursions.
US Consul General Mike Hankey at an interaction with Goan journalists on Wednesday however stuck to his trade -- diplomacy -- and said he was "happy to note" that the local government has taken cognisance and is inquiring into the matter.
Hankey revealed that he was told of the incident by industry captains at an interaction he had on Tuesday organised by the Indo-American chapter of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).
On the question of promoting Goa as a tourist destination among Americans, Hankey said US citizens are aware of the State's reputation as a tourism destination and that the role of the consulate is limited to ensure that their (American tourists) travel is smooth.
Hankey meanwhile said, that US consulates had this year hit a record of processing and issuing as many as 1.22 lakh visas to students thus far this year, nearly three-quarters of the applicants being graduates.
The number, Hankey said also makes India the top country in terms of number of students issued US visas this year even as he admitted that the 1,000 day wait for new visa appointments had been recently introduced.
Hankey nonetheless revealed that three categories of visa applicants were being prioritised -- students, humanitarian medical visas and business travellers.
The US diplomat's visit to Goa was prioritised towards harnessing potential business and cultural links, including forging ties between Goan businesses and US companies.
While in Goa, Hankey said he has had meetings with government officials, politicians, NGOs and business leaders.
Hankey said he also met with officials of the American pharma giant Abbot which has a massive facility located in Goa. Representatives of other pharma companies with manufacturing facilities in Goa also met the US diplomat, he revealed.
