India opens 8 new consular centres in US to boost diaspora services

UPDATED: Aug 1, 2025 07:23 IST

India's Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, on Thursday announced the opening of eight new Indian Consular Application Centres across the United States, aimed at expanding access to consular services for the Indian diaspora.

In a post on X, the Embassy of India in Washington, DC shared a video message by Ambassador Vinay Kwatra: "Announcing major expansion of our Consular Services in the USA beginning August 01, 2025. Here is a message from Ambassador Vinay Kwatra about this expansion and the positive changes it would bring to our service delivery."

Ambassador Kwatra said in his statement that the new Indian Consular Application Centres would be located in Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Addison, Orlando, Raleigh, and San Jose.

"In addition, we will also be opening another Indian Consular Application Centre in Los Angeles very soon. With the opening of these new centres, our ability to provide extensive consular services and related delivery capabilities would increase and expand significantly. It would also make the delivery of these services faster and more accessible to our vibrant Indian diaspora."

He added that starting August 1, all Indian Consular Application Centres would also remain open on Saturdays, which would significantly enhance the availability and accessibility of services. Ambassador Kwatra also announced the streamlining of various miscellaneous consular services, which will now be available through the centres. However, a few key services will continue to be handled from the embassy premises.

"We firmly believe that people-to-people ties are at the heart of the India-US partnership. With the opening of two new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles, as announced by the Prime Minister of India a few months ago, we will further strengthen not just the relationship between our two countries but also our people-to-people ties—particularly in the areas of Boston and Los Angeles."

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, about 5.4 million people of Indian origin reside in the US, making them the third-largest Asian ethnic group in the country. The Indian diaspora has played a key role in cementing closer ties between India and the United States.

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