NEW DELHI: Concerned over the decrease in the number of Indian students going to America for higher studies, the US has said it has plans to increase the number of visas for them and also speed up the process.

"We are very much committed to assuring every Indian student admitted to a legitimate institution of higher education in the US that he or she will be granted visa on time," Karen P Hughes, US Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, told reporters here.

"We have increased the number of visas for Indian students and we want to further increase the number," Hughes said.

Hughes is on a week-long visit to India, heading a delegation of six US university presidents in an effort to expand educational partnerships with India. The delegation called on Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh to discuss two-way students’ exchange programs with India.

"We discussed a variety of ideas like faculty exchange program, student exchange program and joint degree program," Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Thomas A Farrell said about the meeting.

He said the US was waking up to the reality that it is losing its advantage in drawing top-grade students from countries like India due to visa hurdles.

Earlier, in Mumbai, speaking at the Business Partnerships in Higher Education Luncheon hosted by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Mumbai, leader of the delegation Karen P. Hughes, said the US "has the capacity to host many more students than we currently do. Our goal is to make an American education possible for every international student who wishes to study in the US and to substantially increase Americans studying here." 

She told her audience she saw the educational delegation to India "as a part of furthering the international dialogue our world needs — and we invite your participation.   I encourage you to do all you can to reinforce our efforts here in India by supporting scholarships, internships, mentoring opportunities."

Hughes’ delegation to India includes Thomas A Farrell, deputy assistant secretary of state for academic programs, and six university presidents from across the US. Mark A Emmert from the University of Washington, John M Lilley from Baylor University and James L Oblinger from North Carolina State University.

In meetings with students and leaders in higher education, government, and business in Mumbai and New Delhi, the delegates are conveying the message that America welcomes and values international students who want to study in the United States.

They are highlighting the importance of international education to strengthening US-India ties and preparing globally competitive American students at educational institutions. 

Karen said in her speech, "In India members of our consular staff are committed to assuring every Indian student admitted to a legitimate institution of higher education in the United States will be granted a visa interview in time to make it to the first day of class.  This expedited process parallels that which we already conduct for eligible business executives.  More broadly, Ambassador Mulford has made it a priority to reduce the backlog in visas – and the average wait for an appointment is now less than two weeks rather than many months.   I’m pleased by the increasing number of visas, but we are not satisfied – I want that number to continue to increase, for more students, more business leaders, more visitors to come to America from India.