• By Prof. Indrajit S. Saluja

The Consulate General of India in New York is one of the busiest Indian diplomatic missions in the world, serving a jurisdiction of ten states on the U.S. East Coast with a diaspora population of over 2.3 million. It is both a service hub for passports, visas, and other consular needs, and a diplomatic bridge between India, Indian Americans, and the broader American public.

Ahead of India’s 79th Independence Day, I met with India’s Consul General in New York, Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, for an in-depth conversation. We spoke at length about new services being introduced from August 1, the Consulate’s broad mandate, and its engagement with students, women, cultural promotion, and the Indian-American community at large.

I was joined by my colleague Mr. Gurinder Singh Hothi, who documented our discussion.

Saluja: Good afternoon, sir. It’s such a wonderful opportunity to speak with you after a long time. I’m sure you have much to share with the readers of The Indian Panorama. Before we begin the formal questions, I want to thank you for inviting me to your office for this conversation.

Consul General: Thank you, Professor Saluja. It’s always a pleasure to speak to the readers of The Indian Panorama and, through you, to reach out to the larger Indian community in our jurisdiction. I also extend a warm welcome to you and Gurinderji to the Indian Consulate.

Saluja: There’s talk in the community that the Consulate is about to give a “big gift” on the eve of Independence Day. Could you share what’s in store?

Consul General: While I’d avoid the word “gift,” I can say that the Government of India—through both the Embassy and the Consulates—has worked to improve services for three main groups: Indian nationals living in the U.S., persons of Indian origin, and American friends of India who travel, invest, or engage culturally with India.

Starting August 1, several new initiatives will make our services more accessible and user-friendly. These include:

Three new satellite VFS Global centers in Boston, MA; Edison, NJ; and Columbus, OH—offering the full range of consular services, not just passports, visas, and OCI cards, but also attestation, power of attorney, birth/death certificates, will registration, and more.

All-inclusive service charge of $19 covering form-filling assistance, four passport-size photographs, photocopies, and return courier service—at no extra cost.

Saturday service: All VFS centers in our jurisdiction (New York, Boston, Edison, Columbus) will now be open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., providing more flexibility for working people.

This is a decentralization of services that will save time, travel, and effort for community members, while standardizing the quality of assistance.

Saluja: The Consulate’s role seems multifaceted—providing consular services, engaging in diplomacy, and fostering people-to-people contact. Could you describe your main priorities?

Consul General: Broadly, our work falls into three categories.

Consular services for the Indian diaspora and friends of India—passport, visa, OCI, and miscellaneous documentation.

Political engagement with elected representatives—both at the federal level (U.S. Congress) and in state legislatures within our ten-state jurisdiction. Many of these leaders are longstanding friends of India.

Economic and commercial work—about one-third of India-U.S. merchandise trade originates in this region. We host frequent delegations from Indian industry sectors including IT, jewelry, textiles, ceramics, and more.

Underpinning all of this is cultural outreach and constant contact with the diaspora—maintaining bonds and strengthening mutual understanding.

Saluja: Let’s talk about students. How important are they to your work?

Consul General: Students are a top priority. In our jurisdiction alone, there are about 117,000 Indian students. Nationwide, there are 373,000, making India the largest source of international students in the U.S. This number grew from 353,000 last year, and represents an investment of about $20 billion annually by Indian families.

We engage with student associations, visit campuses (I’ve personally visited about 30 universities), and hold meet-and-greet events—both in-person and virtual—to provide guidance on safety, cultural adaptation, and U.S. regulations.

Our focus is not only on Indian passport holders but also on the second and third generation of Indian Americans. Many of them visit India for studies—ranging from Sanskrit and philosophy to engineering and liberal arts. The goal is to integrate them into the larger India-U.S. story, economically and culturally.

Saluja: You’ve mentioned culture several times. How successful has the Consulate been in promoting Indian culture?

Consul General: I’d say Indian culture is now mainstream in the U.S. Take yoga—there are 36,000 yoga studios here, and 33 million Americans (10% of the population) practice yoga. It’s part of daily life, not just a niche activity.

Similarly, Indian cuisine has gone from “ethnic” to celebrated—an Indian restaurant, Sema, is now ranked No. 1 in The New York Times’ list of best New York City restaurants. Indian dance, music, Ayurveda, cricket, and cinema are all finding large non-Indian audiences. Literature festivals and film screenings attract significant American participation.

This is a moment of pride: our culture enriches the American mosaic while retaining its distinct identity.

Saluja: Women are a vital part of the diaspora. How does the Consulate support those in adverse circumstances?

Consul General: While most Indian-origin women here thrive—often excelling in academia, business, and the arts—there are still cases of hardship: domestic violence, legal disputes, sudden bereavement, or financial distress.

We offer one-time legal assistance, connect individuals with community lawyers and doctors for free counseling, and link them with local support organizations for ongoing help. I’ve urged community associations to make women’s welfare a philanthropic priority.

It’s a mixed story—alongside challenges, we see remarkable achievements, such as Indian-origin women winning Grammys, leading university departments, and breaking barriers in diverse fields.

Saluja: Returning to the August 1 changes—could you outline the practical benefits for community members?

Consul General: Certainly. The benefits include closer access: Residents of New England, New Jersey, and the Midwest will no longer need to travel to New York for in-person services.

Uniform service quality: Every VFS center will offer the same range of services with the same $19 flat fee, eliminating uncertainty.

Form-filling assistance: Many applicants struggle with online forms—now trained staff will help on-site.

Included extras: Photos, photocopies, and return courier—no hidden costs.

Extended hours: Monday–Saturday access helps working families.

For comparison, similar services from other countries’ consulates often cost significantly more.

Saluja: We are days away from India’s 79th Independence Day. What message would you like to share?

Consul General: Independence Day is a time to remember our nation’s achievements, the sacrifices of our freedom fighters, and the strength of the India-U.S. partnership.

When I look at the progress we’ve made—from a global comprehensive strategic partnership to the deep contributions of our diaspora—I feel proud. This success is built collectively, with the effort of both India and its overseas community.

In the U.S., every celebration reflects three parallel rises.

The rise of India itself.

The rise of India-U.S. friendship.

The rise of the Indian diaspora’s impact—both here and in strengthening bilateral ties.

I congratulate all members of the Indian community, as well as the friends of India, on this occasion. Let us continue to work together so that both our nations and our partnership grow stronger in the years ahead.

The conversation revealed a Consulate not just managing paperwork but actively shaping connections—between individuals and institutions, between culture and commerce, and between generations of Indians and Americans.

From August 1, with expanded services, decentralized centers, and extended hours, the Consulate General in New York aims to make consular access easier than ever. Yet, as the Consul General emphasized, its role goes beyond transactions—it is about trust, engagement, and community partnership.

This Independence Day, the message is clear: as India rises, so too does the India-U.S. relationship and the role of its diaspora in shaping it.