Washington, D.C. — Citizens of India eyeing a visit to the U.S. are one step closer to smoother entry under a new CBP Trusted Traveler initiative signed by representatives from both nations June 3.
CBP Deputy Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan and Arun K. Singh, ambassador of India to the U.S., signed a Memorandum of Understanding toward India’s participation in the Global Entry program, marking a significant travel milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the two countries.
The arrangement is a valuable tool for the U.S. and India to enhance security and the economic partnership between the two nations, and expedite travel for pre-approved, low-risk air travelers to the U.S. once they’ve applied and been approved for the Global Entry program.
“This is a very nice step forward as we work to create opportunities to expedite travel between our nations, and it’s so important to our economies,” said Deputy Commissioner McAleenan. “With Global Entry, India will be joining a lot of our closest friends around the world in this process, where you can avoid passport control lines and speed your way to your destination in the United States upon arrival.”
The two countries have been working toward the agreement since 2014, when representatives from each nation met to discuss an overview of the Global Entry program. To forge a trusted traveler arrangement, a partner country must agree to vet Global Entry applicants to the standards set by CBP.
Singh said that the agreement is another example of the robust relationship established between the two nations.
“Deep-rooted and vibrant links between the people of India and the United States has been a unique facet of the relationship,” he said, “and has acted as a catalyst to forge closer and stronger ties between our two countries.”
Singh noted that many people of Indian descent live in the U.S. and that people from both nations travel often to each other’s country.
“This initiative will bring direct benefit to these travelers,” Singh said. “Expedited entry for the Indian travelers under this program, at U.S. airports, will enable further easing of the travel environment and will have a positive impact on people-to-people exchanges between our two countries.
“We appreciate the U.S. government’s offer of membership into this program,” he said. “This initiative not only signifies outstanding cooperation between our two countries in immigration-related matters, but also underlines continuing efforts on both sides to facilitate and make travel easier between our two countries.”
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