8 November 2012
Bangalore, India
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced plans to open a new consulate in Bangalore, India, in the state of Karnataka. The announcement was made during the Prime Minister’s six-day visit to India, taking place from November 3-9, 2012.
“This new consulate demonstrates Canada’s ongoing commitment to strengthening commercial and social ties with India,” said the Prime Minister. “The new consulate in Bangalore will act as a hub for Canadian representation in Southern India with consular, immigration and enhanced commercial services for Canadian businesses being offered in one of South Asia’s fastest growing cities.”
The new consulate, which was previously a trade office, is expected to open next summer, and will offer a full range of consular services to help Canadians in need of assistance, and visa and immigration services which will enable Canada to attract quality students and immigrants from Southern India and facilitate business travel.
The strengthened trade team of the consulate will continue to provide local business and expert advice to help Canadian companies take advantage of trade and investment opportunities in southern India.
This is the Prime Minister’s second official visit to India, aimed at building a stronger, more dynamic bilateral partnership. He last visited in November 2009, when he and Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, set an ambitious goal to triple bilateral trade to $15 billion annually. The new consulate will help facilitate that goal.
Since 2006, the Government of Canada has opened three new trade offices in India (Hyderabad, Kolkata and Ahmedabad).
