US to set up consulate in Hyderabad

United States has agreed to a long-standing demand for setting up a consulate in Hyderabad.

"The US and Indian government have agreed on the setting up of a US consulate in Hyderabad," Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy told reporters after the departure of US President George W Bush from the Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University today.

An official communication to this effect has already been received by the state government, official sources said.

The state government will provide the Dilkusa guest house in the city to house the consulate till a permanent accommodation is ready in the city, the sources added.

The setting up of a consulate in Hyderabad will be significant in view of the fact that over 25% of Indian software professionals present in the US are from Andhra Pradesh.