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Bengaluru To Soon Become A Diplomatic Hub With Spanish And U.S. Consulates Enhancing Diplomatic And Economic Ties

2026 will be marked as a year of cultural, tourism, and AI collaborations.

by Mallika Khurana
Bengaluru To Soon Become A Diplomatic Hub With Spanish And U.S. Consulates Enhancing Diplomatic And Economic Ties

In a significant step towards strengthening ties between India and Spain, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently announced that Spain will soon open a consulate in Bengaluru. This move is certainly a milestone that represents the growing relationship between the two countries, particularly in terms of economic and cultural engagements.

Spanish Consulate Soon To Open In Bengaluru

Addressing the Indian community in Spain, Jaishankar shared his optimism and hopes that the people of Barcelona will appreciate the establishment of the Indian consulate in Spain. He also announced that Bengaluru will soon host a Spanish consulate as well. He added that this step is not just part of diplomacy but also reflects the expansion of business and cultural connections between the two countries.

The establishment of the Spanish consulate in Bengaluru is a part of a much broader initiative that aims to promote collaboration between the countries in various fields. According to Hindustan Times reports, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also revealed that 2026 would be designated as a dual year. It will be dedicated to celebrating cultural exchange, tourism, and advancements in artificial intelligence between India and Spain. 2025 will be a year of preparation for this exciting year-long celebration that will aim to deepen the cooperation and understanding between these two countries.

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Bengaluru’s Diplomatic Landscape Expands

Jaishankar’s speech in Barcelona also highlighted the importance of the Indian diaspora. He noted that their contributions are being increasingly recognised on the global stage. He also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for placing great emphasis on the role of the diaspora in bridging the gap and forming lasting connections between India and the rest of the world.

Spanish President Pedro Sanchez visited India right before Jai Shankar visited Spain, representing the mutual desire to strengthen bilateral ties. Indian external affairs minister also met with his Spanish counterpart, Jose Manuel Albarez and discussed major areas of cooperation such as smart cities, green technologies and Railways. He also shared that currently there are 230 Spanish companies operating in India and we hope to attract even more in the future., as per the Deccan Herald reports.

The diplomatic presence in Bengaluru has now become a larger trend. This opening of the Spanish consulate will increase the international diplomatic presence in this city. According to Hindustan Times, the US consulate is also set to open in Bengaluru soon. It will significantly reduce the need for residents to travel to distant cities, like Chennai or Hyderabad, for visa services. The consulate will temporarily operate from the JW Marriott Hotel on Vittal Mallya Road before it moves to a dedicated facility. For the US consulate, a ‘site dedication’ ceremony is also planned to take place on January 17.

Bengaluru is all set to host not only the Spanish consulate but also the US consulate. It certainly represents the city’s growing importance as a diplomatic and economic hub.

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons and Canva

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First Published: January 15, 2025 4:28 PM