Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, New Consul General in NY Accorded Warm Welcome

The members of the Indian American community welcomed the newly-appointed Consul General of India in New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan during a recent meet and greet and reception event organized at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan USA. Speaking to the audience, Pradhan remarked that Indians and those in diaspora around the world find inspiration in the achievements and legacy of the Indian American community.

Consul General Pradhan urged the community to share their feedback on the workings of the consulate as well as the government of India, stating that it will enable him to improve their performance during his time in office.

“I would like to listen from you about what you expect the consulate to do, what you think the consulate has been doing right, what we have been doing wrong and your vision of your own consulate,” adding that the community ‘s support will help the consulate serve them better.

Pradhan who previously served as the High Commissioner of India in Tanzania, also lauded the contribution and the success of the Indian American diaspora in the United States. He highlighted that the Indian diaspora in Tanzania and around the world aspires to create the same impact that the Indian Americans have managed to create in the United States and back home in India.

Sharing an anecdote of how influential Indian Americans are Pradhan recalled that during the setting up of an IIT in Zanzibar, Tanzania, the locals gave examples of successful Indian Americans who graduated from IITs and are now leading Fortune 500 companies in the United States. “And they said that we want to recreate the same story. What it has done in the United States what Indian Americans have done in the United States, we want to have a similar experience out here in Africa in Tanzania, ” he recalled them as saying.

The Consul General also celebrated the 75th Republic Day of India with the community at the achool. During his reception at Bhavan’s Romanti Auditorium he interacted with Bhavan directors including Navin Mehta, chairman of Bhavan USA and Dr H R Shah (Padma Shri), chairman emeritus of Bhavan USA & TV Asia.

Binaya Srikanta Pradhan is a career diplomat of the 2002 batch of the Indian Foreign Service. He speaks English, Russian, Hindi, and Odiya languages. His diplomatic career includes senior roles in Indian Embassies in Moscow, Turkmenistan, and Pakistan from 2004 to 2012. During 2012-14, he managed India’s relations with Afghanistan and Iran at the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

From 2014 to 2019, Mr. Pradhan served as the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India. His international engagements extended to being the Deputy Chief of Mission in the Embassy of India, Moscow, from June 2019 to July 2021.

Prior to his current role as Consul General of India, New York, he held the position of High Commissioner of India to Tanzania and Permanent Representative to the East African Community (EAC) from August 2021 to January 2024. During this period India- Tanzania relationship was elevated to ‘Strategic Partnership’ and the first  overseas campus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras in Zanzibar, Tanzania was set up.

Mr. Pradhan demonstrates a keen interest in economic and energy diplomacy. Beyond his diplomatic pursuits, he finds enjoyment in playing golf. Mr. Pradhan is married to Ms. Monalisa and they are proud parents of two daughters, Dibyanshi and Diya.

“Consul General @binaysrikant76 met the leaders of Indian American community from different walks of lives at an event hosted by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan USA, which is a leading organization promoting Indian culture including Hindi, Sanskrit & classical dances among others since 1981,” the New York Consulate posted on X.