India opens new consulate chancery in Seattle

India has inaugurated the new chancery of its Consulate General in Seattle, expanding its diplomatic presence in the United States.

The chancery, located at 1015 2nd Avenue in the historic Federal Reserve Building, was opened by Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra, the consulate said in a statement on Tuesday. The first floor houses the Consular Section for public services, while the 11th floor accommodates the Administrative and Commercial wings.

The Federal Reserve Building, which served as the Seattle branch of the Federal Bank of San Francisco from 1951 to 2008, has been on the US National Register of Historic Places since 2013.

The event was attended by Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson, US Senator Maria Cantwell and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced plans for the Seattle consulate, India’s sixth in the United States, during his June 2023 visit. The mission began operating from a temporary office in November 2023 and has since processed more than 23,700 applications across nine US states, according to the statement.

Following the inauguration, Ambassador Kwatra met Indian American community members, technology industry leaders in Seattle and local elected officials, including those of Indian origin.

According to official data, about 4.4 million Indian Americans and people of Indian origin live in the United States, making up the third-largest Asian ethnic group. A 300,000-strong Indian student community contributes more than $8 billion annually to the U.S. economy.