Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second day in the US on a state visit saw  several big ticket announcements aimed at boosting ties between the two countries, ranging from the areas of defence cooperation to space expeditions to visa rules. 

India and the US are set to announce H1B visa processing changes and open new consulates in a big step-up in diplomatic ties, sources have told NDTV.

The big ticket announcements are set to be announced as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the US for a state visit, an honour the superpower reserves for its closest allies.

India currently has five US consulates and the new one will be opened in Seattle. It will also cover Alaska, where India has a lot of interest.

The new US consulates will be opened in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, sources said.