Seattle Welcomes New Indian Consulate Chancery

The new chancery of the Consulate General of India in Seattle was inaugurated on Tuesday by India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, marking a significant step in strengthening Indo-US relations. Housed in the historic Federal Reserve Building at 1015 2nd Avenue, the chancery spans the first floor for consular services and the 11th floor for administrative and commercial operations, blending heritage with modern diplomacy.

The event, attended by Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson, US Senator Maria Cantwell, and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, highlighted the consulate’s role in serving the 300,000-strong Indian diaspora in the Pacific Northwest. The building, a National Register of Historic Places landmark since 2013, previously served as the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Seattle branch from 1951 to 2008.

Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2023, the consulate—India’s sixth in the US—began operations from a temporary site in November 2023 under Consul General Prakash Gupta. Since July 2024, it has assisted 23,722 applicants across nine states: Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska. Services include visa processing, passport issuance, and OCI card facilitation, with VFS Global handling attestations since August 1, 2025.

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Kwatra engaged with Indian American community leaders, tech industry giants from Microsoft and Amazon, and elected officials, including Indian-origin representatives like Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. The consulate aims to foster trade, education, and cultural ties, particularly in tech-heavy Seattle, home to 83,000 Indian-born residents.

Governor Ferguson praised the consulate’s economic potential, noting, “Seattle’s Indian diaspora drives innovation and growth.” Senator Cantwell emphasized its role in deepening tech and defense collaborations. The mission supports the 4.4 million Indian Americans nationwide, contributing over USD 8 billion annually through 300,000 Indian students.

The inauguration coincided with cultural events, including the first India Day Parade on August 16, showcasing India’s diversity. With consular services now operating six days a week, the consulate is set to enhance accessibility and bilateral cooperation.

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