Mr Joel R. Reifman took charge as Consul General of the United States of America in Hyderabad on August 18. Prior to this assignment, Mr Reifman served as deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
He has held many positions, served at the US state department and has been deputed to Kabul (Afghanistan), Asmara (Eritrea), Anbar western province (Iraq), and has worked in the US embassies in Panama and Islamabad.
Before joining the US state department, Mr Reifman served as an assistant staff judge advocate in the US Air Force and was a Pearson Fellow in the office of senator Joseph Lieberman.
Speaking exclusively to Deccan Chronicle in his first interview after taking charge in India, Mr Reifman said he had received a wonderful response from the people of every section of society he had interacted with since his arrival in Hyderabad.
He also spoke of his early experiences and his priorities and goals for the US Consulate, and tells Resident Editor Sriram Karri that the US cherishes its friendship with India as not only the most important political relationship in the world, but believes it would define this century. Here are some excerpts from the conversation.
Welcome to India and Hyderabad, Consul Gen-eral Joel Reifman. How has the experience been so far?
I have really enjoyed every moment since I have arrived in India, and in Hyderabad. I have earlier served in southeast Asia from Dhaka, where I last served, in Kabul and Islamabad. The potential here is enormous, the relationship between the two nations is extremely important. The Indo-US partnership is very strong and the future promises greater cooperation at all levels.
Hyderabad is a beautiful city. It has one leg in the past, on history, is strongly grounded because it is in touch with its roots and past. Most Americans visiting India might visit the Taj Mahal, Kerala or Rajasthan, but overlook what Telangana state and Andhra Pradesh have to offer. But the beauty of Golconda fort, which I visited yesterday, is truly eye-beholding and magnificent. The experience of Falaknuma palace, where we stayed, is like a slice of heaven on earth. The majestic Charminar, the amazing Chowmahalla palace — they are all wonderful. And even more wonderful are the people and the culture here. The example of Hindus and Muslims living in peace and harmony is so valuable for all.
Yet, the city also has its eyes set on the future; Hyderabad is visionary and is buzzing with zeal to script and shape tomorrow.
What is the business potential as you seen between the two nations, and in particular, the two Telugu states, and of course, Hyderabad?
The business relationship is amazing. Within two days of my taking charge, I had the privilege of inaugurating the second largest development and fulfilment centres of Amazon anywhere in the world.
Most of the large American companies are here — Microsoft, Google, Facebook and the entire tech spectrum.
In strategic defence ties, the city is enabling the Indo-US ties. US and Indian companies are already collaborating in co-production of C-130 transport aircraft, F-16 fighter planes and Apache helicopters at joint facilities in Hyderabad. Lockheed Martin is making wings for F16s. We will continue to evolve as important aerospace and defence manufacturing hubs in the area.
With over 150 major American companies operating in our Consulate district (Telangana state, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha combined), this area is very crucial.
Not just software or defence, but in consumer goods, retail, so on. Pepsi has a big presence in Andhra Pradesh. Ports are crucial from AP’s perspective.
How would you characterise the Indo-Ameri-can friendship?
In 1591, when the Charminar was built, America as a nation was not in the gaze of India. Today, our relationship is strong, and growing. The investment and defence trade is over $18 billion, it was hardly anything a decade ago.
The overall trade at $140 plus billion represents a five-fold increase over what it was in 2004. US investment in India has grown seven fold in the same last 15 years.
What about the trade disputes?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump are good friends, who have met six times so far. Our business ties will grow only stronger. There are trade issues but we are engaged in talks and can resolve them. Let this be said — for us in America, we consider the friendship with India to be the most important political relationship in the world, one that will define the century. Similarly, the Indian investments in US are growing too. Did you know that Telugu is the fastest growing language in the USA?
Let me bring your att-ention to people-to-people level issues? Like Indians visiting the US or planning to go there for studies or jobs? Issues like visas?
People-to-people contacts are the most important part of any interaction between nations. It provides the real strength. On visas, the main anchor of our life and work’s purpose at any embassy or consulate, between 2016 and 2018, the US Consulate in Hyderabad adjudicated over 650,000 non-immigrant visa applications. We have a seen five per cent growth registered in number of students going to the US for higher education every year, for the last five years. Nearly 200,000 students (around 1,96,000) have been issues education visas from here. We will only increase these numbers because the potential is higher.
There are reports of an upcoming expansion of the physical footprint of the consulate in the city?
The Paigah Palace has been a great home for us since we arrived here, but we are bursting at the seams. In terms of operations, if we issued 13,000 professional visas in October last year, (business, L1, H1B), we did over 18,000 this October. Our new centre is gearing up for launch rapidly. We hope to have 52 working windows, while we have 16 now.
There are other kinds of expansion planned too. We have one American Corner (in a college in Begumpet), we would like to have more.
We have a reach-out programme, Access English, to teach English as a way to make a difference to poorer sections in villages. We have impacted 1,500 people so far, would like to do much more. Now, most urban Indians speak better English than I do though... with Indian authors making such great impact on literature.
I learnt you travelled to a faraway village in AP recently. And learnt to cook biryani with a master chef?
We travelled to a village, over 100 km away from Vizag, to meet people, who perhaps have never met any westerner personally before. We discussed about human trafficking, as part of a drive to educate people about the issue.
There can be no greater honour than to meet celebrity chef Nawab Mehboob Alam Khan you have seen on TV in real life and to cook alongside in his house in Barkatpura. We made biryani, yes.
Have you caught up with some cricket, or Tollywood movies?
I must confess though I have been in all major cricketing cities in Asia but could not get cricket. Of course, like everyone else, I have seen Bollywood. I promise to bring myself to speed with Telugu movies soon.
How do you see the transformation in Asia? Do you think this could be the century of India?
My recently experience in Dhaka, and now what I see of India, I am in no doubt the future of the world lies in Asia. The growing middle class, burgeoning economy, and more importantly, the shared values of democracy and acceptance of everyone — is a truly fantastic phenomenon to witness.
As the economy goes, where can we focus further upon?
Medical tourism is a great area I can think of for Hyderabad and India to grow multifold. This is where the trade talks are crucial — India must cut tariffs on import of fourth generation medical devices, and not be stuck with infrastructure of the second generation.
Ports are another area of cooperation. Most trade happens by sea routes. If we harness the fullest potential of the waters, our costs of trade can come down.
A new role like this poses great challenges. How do you keep abreast of everything going on?
We have a great research team that helps us understand issues. There is no replacement to meeting people and visiting places to try to understand real scenarios.
And a lot comes from media. I read the Deccan Chronicle first thing every morning to understand everything about Hyderabad, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. You are my gateway to the Deccan. I also read other newspapers...
I will not mention the other newspapers part (Consul General laughs). My last question — I heard some major events are slated ahead in area of defence cooperation?
India and the US are conducting the first-ever tri-services joint exercise named Tiger TRIUMPH, including several events and field training, scheduled from November 13 to 21 near Visakhapatnam and Kakinada. This will involve all three services – the Army, Navy and the Air Force.
The exercise, besides building capacity of both Indian and American soldiers, will also improve our ability to operate together. Over 1,200 Indian soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and 500 US marines, sailors and airmen will participate in the nine-day exercise.
The two forces will also become familiar with one another’s aviation support capabilities by conducting cross deck landings by Indian Air Force on the USS Germantown’s flight deck. There is a focus on counter-terrorism and humanitarian relief capabilities.
We are also hosting the US-India defence ties conference on December 18 and 19 in Hyderabad to bring together government officials, corporate leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs to further strengthen collaboration in defence manufacturing and innovation.
