8 November 2012
Bangalore, India
The Harper Government is committed to deepening its engagement across India, including in the southern part of the country. To this end, on November 8, 2012, Prime Minister Harper announced plans to open a Canadian Consulate in Bangalore, Karnataka.
Canada and the state of Karnataka have a history of strong commercial relations with many of Canada's leading companies established in Bangalore.
There is currently a Trade Office of the Canadian High Commission in Bangalore. This office is being upgraded to a full Consulate with a strengthened trade team. With a new Citizenship and Immigration Canada visa and immigration service point serving all of southern India, the consulate will reinforce our strong commercial relations and make future business easier through the provision of immigration and visa services.
Approximately 25 to 30 staff will be relocated from Delhi and Chennai to Bangalore. The new consulate will serve as a hub for Canada's representation in all of southern India and is scheduled to open in summer 2013.
One of the fastest growing cities in South Asia, Bangalore is an important centre for Indian companies and foreign multinational companies. The city has seen massive growth in the last decade due to migration from within and outside India. The local population currently sits at 8.4 million.
Bangalore is India’s information technology (IT) and biotechnology powerhouse and is the fourth largest technology cluster in the world after Silicon Valley, Boston and London. With more than 100 research and development centres, Karnataka is a preferred destination for multinational companies, and is a centre of learning, with 20 universities, 114 medical colleges, 170 engineering colleges, 712 general colleges and 13 International schools.
The new consulate will also help attract international students to Canada, which will enhance people-to-people ties and contribute to the Canadian economy.
