The Indian population in Southern California has been asking for a new Indian Consulate in Los Angeles
And given the highest likelihood of two new consulates to be set up anywhere in the USA, their demand to get Los Angeles recognized as a prime location for a new Indian consulate, is gaining momentum in the form of a petition to the government of India
On his first state visit to USA in June, PM Narendra Modi declared the opening of the sixth Indian Consulate in Seattle, Washington and also revealed plans to establish two more consulates in America.
While making this announcement during his address to thousands of Indian immigrants in Washington DC, he quipped about the requests that would follow for the seventh and eighth Indian consulates to be set up elsewhere in the US, reported indianeagle.com.
The Indian population in Southern California has been asking for a new Indian Consulate in Los Angeles. And given the highest likelihood of two new consulates to be set up anywhere in the USA, their demand to get Los Angeles recognized as a prime location for a new Indian consulate, is gaining momentum in the form of a petition to the government of India.
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The United States has five Indian consulates: New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston and Atlanta (in addition to the Embassy at Washington DC) to serve 4.5 million people of Indian origin spread throughout the USA
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California is the largest state in the country both in terms of US population and Indian immigrant population (accounting for nearly 20% of the total Indian diaspora in the States)
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Although California has an Indian Consulate at San Francisco, it is hardly able to extend its services to the fast-growing Indian community in the south coast
Representing the voice of the Indian Community in Southern California, Gunjan Bagla – an Indian American businessman settled in SoCal – has started the petition to the Indian government to establish a new consulate in Los Angeles, America’s second largest city. In a week since its start, the petition has garnered over 2000 supporters. Gunjan Bagla is the founder and director of Amritt Ventures, a consultancy firm in Malibu. He is also an author, blogger, public speaker and proud Californian.
Currently, the United States has five Indian consulates: New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston and Atlanta (in addition to the Embassy at Washington DC) to serve 4.5 million people of Indian origin spread throughout the USA. California is the largest state in the country both in terms of US population and Indian immigrant population (accounting for nearly 20% of the total Indian diaspora in the States). Although California has an Indian Consulate at San Francisco, it is hardly able to extend its services to the fast-growing Indian community in the south coast.
Petitioner Gunjan Bagla notes that the absence of a consulate or diplomatic mission in such a significant location affects American businesses’ plans to invest in India. For an area like Greater Los Angeles with a dense Indian immigrant population, both a dedicated consulate and nonstop flight service to India from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) have long been overdue
Also, for those living in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and New Mexico, the Indian consulate in San Francisco is way too far – a long drive of more than 8 hours. And booking a flight all the way to Northern California to visit an overburdened consulate with long wait times and fairly little chance of getting the job done in the same visit (especially in case of miscellaneous services that do not require an appointment) is more than just an expensive affair.
What also makes a strong case for a new Indian consulate in Los Angeles is the fact that this city, in its capacity as a hub for international trade, is of critical importance as far as India-US strategic partnership and bilateral ties are concerned. Petitioner Gunjan Bagla notes that the absence of a consulate or diplomatic mission in such a significant location affects American businesses’ plans to invest in India. for an area like Greater Los Angeles with a dense Indian immigrant population, both a dedicated consulate and nonstop flight service to India from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) have long been overdue.
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