The newly established consulate in Seattle, marking India's sixth in the region, has commenced its operations with the appointment of Prakash Gupta as its inaugural Consul General. Prakash Gupta, a seasoned career diplomat, previously served as the Joint Secretary for United Nations and Political Issues. In this capacity, he played a crucial role in overseeing India's engagements at the UN Security Council during the 2021-22 period.

His responsibilities also encompassed handling matters related to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Commonwealth, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and various multilateral issues associated with democracy. Gupta's extensive experience positions him as a key figure in furthering India's diplomatic initiatives in the Pacific Northwest through the newly functional consulate in Seattle.

He played a pivotal role in steering the resolution for the International Day of Yoga through the United Nations, showcasing his influential contributions to global initiatives. Additionally, he actively participated in the meticulous planning and preparations for India's G20 Summit held in Delhi, underscoring his involvement in key strategic events on the international stage.

Five additional consulates are strategically located across prominent cities in the United States, including Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York City, and San Francisco. The Indian Embassy is situated in the nation's capital, Washington DC, with Taranjit Singh Sandhu serving as the Ambassador.

Simultaneously, the United States maintains an Embassy in Delhi and extends its diplomatic presence through four consulates strategically positioned in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bangalore. This reflects the robust diplomatic ties between India and the United States, emphasizing the geographical distribution of diplomatic missions to facilitate bilateral engagements and enhance diplomatic cooperation.

India and the United States, both recognized as strategic partners, actively participate in international forums such as the G20 and I2U2. President Biden has emphatically reiterated the strategic nature of the partnership between the two nations, underscoring the importance of their collaborative efforts on the global stage.

Notably, President Biden's commitment to this strategic alliance was evident when he attended the G20 Summit in India, a significant diplomatic event that occurred just a few months after Prime Minister Modi's official visit to the United States.

This sequence of high-level engagements highlights the continuous and reciprocal nature of diplomatic exchanges, emphasizing the commitment of both countries to strengthen their strategic partnership across various international platforms.

A reliable source has indicated that the quantity of consulates is contingent upon the bilateral relations shared between nations and the size and influence of their diaspora communities. This information suggests that consulates are established based on these factors.

Presently, India maintains a global diplomatic presence with a network of 122 embassies, 110 consulates, and 8 representations. This extensive representation underscores India's commitment to engaging with nations around the world, reflecting the nation's proactive approach to fostering international relations and catering to the needs of its diaspora.

Image source: India Express