Seven years on, India set to open new consulate in Seattle

Source: The post is based on the article “Seven years on, India set to open new consulate in Seattle” published in “The Hindu” on 3rd November 2023

Why in the News?

India has announced plans to open its sixth consulate in the US in Seattle.

How many consulates are currently there between India and the US?

In the US, India has its Embassy in Washington DC. There are six consulate generals in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York City and San Francisco.

In India, the US has an Embassy in Delhi and four consulates which include Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore.

US is planning to open two new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.

What is the significance of these new consulates between India and the US?

The establishment of these new consulates will facilitate greater people-to-people interactions, foster academic collaborations, and promote cultural exchanges between India and the United States. 

What is the difference between Embassy and Consulate?

An embassy and a consulate are both government offices located in foreign countries with different functions. 

Embassy: It is a diplomatic mission that represents the government of one country in another. 

– It is usually located in the capital city of the host country. The ambassador is the head of the embassy and is the primary representative of their government in the host country.

Consulate: It is a smaller office that is typically located in a major city of the host country. 

– Its main purpose is to provide consular services to citizens of the home country who are travelling or living abroad. 

UPSC Syllabus: International Relations