India Strengthens Ties with China: New Consulate General Opens in Shanghai
Inauguration of the New Consulate General in Shanghai
Beijing: On Sunday, Pradeep Kumar Rawat, India’s Ambassador to China, along with Pratik Mathur, the Consul General in Shanghai, officially opened the new Chancery of the Consulate General of India in Shanghai, located at the Dawning Centre in the Changning district. This marks the first relocation of the consulate's office in over three decades.
The Consulate General emphasized that this new, larger diplomatic facility is strategically positioned in the heart of Shanghai’s consular district, aimed at enhancing engagement and improving service delivery.
In a post on X, the Shanghai mission celebrated the occasion, stating, “New Beginnings, New Horizons in India-China relations, Scaling New Heights as India opens New Consulate General. A landmark day as Ambassador Shri P.K. Rawat and CG Pratik Mathur inaugurated the new Chancery of CGI Shanghai—a larger, modern diplomatic platform in the heart of the city’s consular district, designed to deepen engagement and strengthen service delivery.”
This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.”
The inauguration was attended by Consul Generals from 30 countries and numerous members of the Indian community. The event featured cultural performances by Indian students, artists, singers, and dancers, showcasing the essence of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.”
The mission highlighted the gathering of over 500 members from the Indian diaspora and friends of India, celebrating the occasion. The event also showcased the commercial potential of Indian Coffee, one of the country’s finest exports.
Guests were treated to a curated coffee tasting that introduced them to India’s rich coffee heritage, which is steadily gaining popularity in China. The cultural performances reflected India’s soft power, with young talents presenting vibrant displays of art and dance, embodying the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.
During the inauguration, Mathur expressed gratitude to the Ministry of External Affairs and local Shanghai authorities for their support, reaffirming the Consulate’s dedication to providing seamless services for the Indian community and Chinese partners.
He emphasized the importance of enhancing India’s oldest consular presence in mainland China, noting that the Dawning Centre’s location in the Hongqiao–Gubei foreign business corridor, which hosts several diplomatic missions and major multinational corporations, provides a strategic advantage. The proximity to the Hongqiao transportation hub and the Gubei international community further enhances the Consulate’s engagement in East China.
Mathur also pointed out the renewed momentum in bilateral exchanges between India and China, mentioning that initiatives like the newly launched direct flights between India and Shanghai will bolster trade, travel, and business connections, making the new Chancery’s enhanced capacity particularly timely.