Vice-Consul for Consular Affairs of the US Consulate General in Kolkata, Samantha Jordan, will visit Darjeeling to assess the situation…
US Consulate General in Kolkata, Samantha Jordan
Vice-Consul for Consular Affairs of the US Consulate General in Kolkata, Samantha Jordan, will visit Darjeeling to assess the situation in the Hills following last year’s protracted Gorkhaland agitation and the shutdown.
Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, Ms Jordan said her visit was a continuation of the US Consulate General’s efforts to build sustained engagement in north Bengal. It may be noted that US Consul General Craig Hall had visited Siliguri twice in July and November last year.
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Mr Hall had also visited Cooch Behar on the invitation of North Bengal Development minister Rabindranath Ghosh. Notably, officials associated with the Foreign Commercial Service and Education, USA, from the US Consulate in Kolkata visited Siliguri last September and met officials of corporate houses, government departments, students and travelling agents.
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As a part of plans to further Indo-US cultural and business relations, Ms Jordan plans to meet leaders of the travel and tourism industry in Darjeeling Hills to assess the current situation and explore the tourism potential of Darjeeling.
“I am here today, and tomorrow I will visit Darjeeling to assess the present situation of tourism and travel industry there. You know Darjeeling has become a really large tourist attraction over the past few years and more and more American citizens are going there and I myself am also excited and this is my first trip to Darjeeling,” Ms Jordan said.
“As a part of protecting American citizens, we will assess the present situation there,” she added. Ms Jordan, however, did not comment on the issue of a separate statehood movement in Darjeeling. She, however, said that India, as the largest democratic country, would be able to resolve the problem peacefully.
She also pointed out that “the US supports sovereignty and the country’s own decisions.” Ms Jordon also stressed on development in South Asian countries and peaceful relations among neighbouring countries, including China, despite the Doklam standoff.
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