ATLANTA,Jan15: The government of India has opened a new consulate to serve the Southeast. Georgia governor
Nathan Deal and Consul General of India in
Atlanta Ajit Kumar Dec 29 announced the consulate's opening. In addition to Georgia, the office will serve the states of Alabama, Florida,
Mississippi, South Carolina and
Tennessee, as well as the US
Virgin Islands and the US commonwealth of
Puerto Rico. Kumar previously served as the Indian consul general in
Frankfurt, Germany, and Durban, South Africa, and as ambassador of India to the
Republic of Zimbabwe. In Atlanta, he will lead a team of 20 full-time employees. The consulate will serve the approximately 100,000 Indian Americans living in Georgia and roughly 290,000 across the Southeast with services such as visas, passports and other documents. It also will help facilitate Georgia's surging business with India. Figures from the Georgia Department of Economic Development show that the state exported $562 million worth of goods to India in 2010. That was a 35% increase over 2009. Georgia is the 10th largest exporter to India among US states. "This marks a significant milestone in Georgia's international evolution," said Deal on making the announcement. "The Consulate General is the crowning symbol of the dynamic business and cultural connections India shares with our region and state." The governor added, "This is a proud day for the State of Georgia, whose longtime efforts to locate an
Indian Consulate General for the Southeastern
United States in Atlanta culminated in the Indian government's 2008 announcement of its intentions." "Despite the worldwide economic crisis," he said, "all parties have pressed forward vigorously to realize this purpose. The Indian Consulate is a vital addition to Atlanta's consular corps and community of trade commissions and bi-national chambers of commerce, which already represents more than 70 other countries and is a key component of Georgia's diversity and international success."
