Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know T he Indian Consulate in New York headed by Consul General Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, hosted India’s Ambassador Vinay Kwatra fromWashington, D.C., to meet community leaders in the TriState area Saturday, April 11, 2026. The diaspora members, among whom were leaders of the Federation of Indian Associations, including Chair- man of FIA-NYNJCTNE Ankur Vaidya, and Senior Advisor to FIA and President of the GAPIO (Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) Dr. Sudhir Parikh, as well as past and present presi- dents of FIA. Indian American community leaders pose with the Indian Ambassador to the US and Consul General in NewYork, April 11, 2026. Addressing the gathering, Ambas- sador Kwatra shared his perspectives on the expanding India-US partnership across trade, technology and people-to- people tiers. He also highlighted India’s ongoing economic transformation. He praised the FIA for bringing the community together and acknowledged the contributions of Indian Americans to strengthening bilateral relations. During the interactive session, Dr. Parikh apprised the Ambassador and CG about GAPIO and his goals for the global organization as its President over the coming months. GAPIO is a platform for some 1.5 million physicians of Indian origin around the world. Dr. Parikh said his two main goals were – 1. to start a podcast for exchange of views among these GAPIO members; and 2. bringing telemedicine to underserved states in India like Arunachal Pradesh, Orissa, etc. Ambassador Kwatra responded positively to the ideas. Indian Ambassador To US Vinay Kwatra Meets Tristate Indian American Community Leaders By a StaffWriter India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra, right, and Consul General in New York Binaya Srikanta Pradhan address leaders of the Indian American community at the April 11, 2026 event at the Indian Consulate. PHOTOS:X.COM @INDIAINNEWYORK A section of the audience at the meeting with India’s Ambassador April 11, 2026. Seen in foreground is Padma Shri recipient Dr. Sudhir Parikh, president of the Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. Indian American community leaders pose with the Indian Ambassador to the US and Consul General in New York, April 11, 2026. India’s Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra, addresses the gathering of Indian American community leaders April 11, 2026, at the New York Consulate. FIA Chairman Ankur Vaidya speaking at the April 11 meeting. President of FIA Sreekanth Akkapalli speaking at the April 11 meeting. 13 COVER STORY April 17, 2026