Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 7 NATIONAL AFFAIRS September 5, 2025 New Chancery Premises Of Indian Consulate In Seattle Inaugurated T he new chancery premises of the Consulate General of India in Seattle, was officially inaugurated August 26, 2025, by Ambassador of India to USAVinay Kwatra, in the presence of Governor ofWashington State Bob Ferguson, US Senator Maria Cantwell and Mayor of Seattle Bruce Harrell. Addressing an audience of several elected leaders and prominent Indian American community leaders, Governor Ferguson welcomed the opening of the new Indian consulate as a landmark development, especially in deepening bilateral ties between India and the US Pacific Northwest region. The new Chancery premises of the In- dian Consulate are located in the heart of downtown Seattle (1015, 2nd Ave Seattle, WA -98104) at the prestigious Federal Reserve Building, and spread over two floors, i.e. (1st and 11th). While the first floor houses the Consular section and is open for visitors of consular services and public dealing, the eleventh-floor houses Administrative and Commercial wings. The location had earlier served as Seattle branch of Federal Bank of San Francisco from 1951 to 2008 and has been listed in the US Federal Government’s National Register of Historic Places since 2013. The announcement for the open- ing of a 6th Indian Consulate in US was made by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in June 2023, and with- ing five months, it began operations from a temporary location in Seattle in November 2023. The Consulate noted in its press release that following initiation of its consular operations in July 2024, it has provided consular services to a total of nearly 23,722 applicants from its consular jurisdiction area ofWashington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska. The inaugural ceremony was also followed by a brief interaction of Ambas- sador of India with representatives of Indian American community. During the visit, Ambassador also interacted with senior leadership of tech companies from the Greater Seattle area, as well as with elected leadership ofWashington State, and leaders of Indian origin elected to public office. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS: India in Seattle. Ambassador of India to US Vinay Kwatra inaugurating the new chancery premises of Indian Consulate in Seattle in the presence of Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson and Senator Maria Cantwell (26 August 2025, Seattle). Ambassador of India to US Vinay Kwatra addressing the gathering (26 August 2025, Seattle) Ambassador of India to US Vinay Kwatra felicitating the dignitaries at the official inauguration of the new chancery premises of Indian Consulate in Seattle (26 August 2025, Seattle). India’s Consul General in Seattle Prakash Gupta, on left. Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta, addressing the gathering (26 August 2025, Seattle). Indian American community representatives participating in an interactive session with Ambassador of India. (26 August 2025, Seattle). Unveiling of the official plaque of inauguration by Ambassador of India to US Vinay Kwatra in the presence of Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson and Senator Maria Cantwell. (26 August 2025, Seattle). Participating dignitaries and Indian American community representatives at the Inauguration ceremony of the new chancery premises of Indian Consulate in Seattle. (26 August 2025, Seattle). Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson addressing the gathering (26 August 2025, Seattle). US Senator Maria Cantwell addressing the gathering (26 August 2025, Seattle). Mayor of Seattle Bruce Harrell addressing the gathering (26 August 2025, Seattle).