Punjab Governor writes to Union External Affairs Minister : Seeks US Consulate in Chandigarh
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 16: Making a strong case in favour of a Consulate of the United States of America (USA) at Chandigarh, against the background of growing demand of people from Punjab in India as well as in the US, Shri Banwari Lal Purohit, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh has written a letter to the External Affairs Minister, Government of India.
The Governor mentioned that Punjabis are adventurous people who travel all over the world. They also form a sizeable segment of the Indian diaspora in the US. The speciality of this segment is that its members are conscious of their roots and are in constant touch with their people back at home in India. This makes a good case for a US Consulate in Chandigarh which is the nerve centre of Punjabi culture.
He referred to the demand for an additional Consulate in India which is being pressed for even in the United States by influential Congressmen, which further bolsters the demand.
The letter mentions that India has as many as five Consulates in the United States, while the US has only four in India.
The Governor said that if a US Consulate is opened in Chandigarh, it will serve purposes to touch social, economic and cultural dimensions of the State and requested Ministry of External Affairs to pursue this matter with appropriate American authorities.
