After 42 years, Indian Embassy gets a new hope in Beijing

SYMBOL OF GROWING TIES: India has moved its Embassy in Beijing to this new building away from its Ritan Park home after 42 years. The modern and expansive $10-million building reflects growing ties with China, say officials.

BEIJING: The Indian Embassy in China on Tuesday moved into a brand-new building in downtown Beijing, in a magnificent structure made of sandstone and other materials imported from home providing a distinctive Indian look. Indian Ambassador to China, S Jaishankar along with all other staff informally moved into the new building, built at a cost of nearly USD 10 million. "Formal opening ceremony will be held after the Chinese New Year later this month," Jaishankar told Indian media here. The 13500 sq mt compound, located close to US, Malaysia, Israeli and Brunei embassies, also houses a cultural complex and an auditorium which could accommodate about 100 people. This is the second time that the Indian Embassy moved its premises ever since it opened its mission here in Beijing in 1950s after the People's Republic of China (PRC) was established. The embassy had to move away from its first building during the chaos in Cultural Revolution in 1966 and later shifted into a bungalow near Ritan Park in central Beijing after acquiring it on a 99-years lease.
The Ritan premises also has a separate bungalow serving as the residence of Ambassador. "The old premises will remain with the Indian mission. It would be used for future activities," Jaishankar said. Designed by Indian architect Raj Rewal, the new building brings under one roof all offices of the embassy. Till now, the cultural centre was housed in one of the commercial complex in central Beijing which has now moved to new premises. However, the new building was designed when the relations between the two countries began improving with bilateral trade worth about USD 15 billion. Last year, the trade volume touched record high of over USD 61 billion and this year it already crossed USD 67 billion. Stepping up their diplomatic engagement, the two countries fixed a new trade target of USD 100 billion by 2015. The embassy currently has 29 diplomats and 33 non -diplomatic staff from India. Though the new premises are just good enough for the present staff strength, but its circular structure may not offer much scope for any major future expansion as it also houses 16 staff quarters. The land for the building was acquired on a 90-years lease in 1989 for RMB 6.75 million and the construction cost of about USD 9.5 million, the Indian diplomat added.