During a visit to Bihar from June 15 to 17, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Michael Pelletier emphasized the significance of the U.S.-India strategic relationship, focusing on economic collaboration, development efforts, and educational opportunities. He was joined by Helen LaFave, the U.S. Consul General in Kolkata.
Pelletier visited a project supported by the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) in Bihar. He highlighted that the partnership between the United States and India is built on a shared commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and farm profitability. "The success of CSISA is a great example of the United States and India working side-by-side and making a positive difference in more than 300,000 people’s lives in India," he noted. During his visit to the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Research Center for the Eastern Region, he met with state officials, scientists, agricultural staff, and farmers.
He also inaugurated a program titled “The Importance of Cold Chain for the Food Processing Industry,” organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce under American Business Corner – Patna's auspices. The event focused on American companies' expertise in cold chain technology and featured firms capable of supplying Indian companies involved in food initiatives.
In an effort to promote educational ties, Pelletier met with vice chancellors and pro-vice chancellors from universities across Bihar who will attend Pennsylvania State University's Academic Leadership Academy. This initiative stems from the U.S-India Strategic Dialogue on Education alongside partners like Rutgers University and Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Its aim is to elevate standards at state universities through best practices observed in U.S. higher education.
At Patna University, Pelletier engaged students about re-imagining U.S-India relations followed by an interactive session. He stated that “our partnership has never been so wide or deep as it is today," urging both governments to explore further potential particularly in trade, investment, security cooperation, energy environment issues among others.
One notable part of his trip included visiting Anand Kumar's "Super 30" program where he praised its role in helping young individuals pursue their dreams via education: “Young people around world have potential drive economic social progress own communities vital incorporate youth voices critical debates shape global affairs.”
Additionally meeting civil society leaders alumni funded leadership programs provided opportunity discuss shared interests experiences between nations