Indian Consulate In Georgia One Step Closer To Reality

ATLANTA, Feb. 25, 2011 — The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) learned today that the U.S. State Department has informed the Embassy of India that it has no objection to the establishment of an Indian consular post in Atlanta, Georgia. The State Department's position clears the path for the implementation of the Indian Consulate General announced in 2008 following a meeting between then-President George W. Bush and the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manhoman Singh in Washington, D.C.

'This is excellent news and represents the culmination of several years of hard work by the State of Georgia, the City of Atlanta, the Metro Atlanta Chamber and many others,' said Governor Nathan Deal. 'We look forward to working with the Indian government in the weeks and months ahead as they finalize their plans and open for business.'

Georgia has a long-standing and close relationship with India, encompassing the business, cultural, academic and diplomatic worlds. In 2010, the state was chosen to host the inaugural USA India Business Summit, which was attended by the Ambassador of India to the U.S., Meera Shankar, and will host the 2011 Summit in June. Business delegations from Georgia and India visit back and forth on a regular basis, including a delegation from GDEcD and the Metro Atlanta Chamber that has just returned this week. Georgia is currently served by the Consulate General of India in Houston.

About GDEcD
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.