LOS ANGELES (Diya TV) — India has opened its first consulate in Los Angeles, marking a major expansion of its diplomatic presence on the U.S. West Coast and signaling the growing importance of California in India-U.S. relations. Located on the 45th floor of the AON Center at 707 Wilshire Blvd., the new Consulate General of India now serves Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. While consular services are already operational, the office recently hosted its first formal event, highlighting the deepening economic, cultural and strategic ties between India and Los Angeles.
With Los Angeles joining San Francisco, California has become the only state in the world to host two Indian consulates. The move reflects India’s focus on strengthening engagement with the U.S. West Coast, particularly in technology, trade, clean energy, and culture. The inaugural event drew civic, business, and cultural leaders from across Southern California. It was organized by India International Impact and the California India Chamber of Commerce and attracted a largely American mainstream audience.
Former U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti headlined the evening, calling India a country of “endless opportunity.” He described the U.S.-India relationship as one built on cooperation rather than conflict. “India taught us how to calculate, how to worship, and how to think,” Garcetti said, reflecting on his personal connection to the country.
Consul General of India in Los Angeles K.J. Srinivasa framed the evening around the theme “LA and India Rising Skyward Together.” He said the partnership between India and Los Angeles is driven by shared goals, not chance.
“This is not a transactional relationship,” Srinivasa said. “It is a co-creation partnership.”
He pointed to strong alignment between India’s Make in India initiative and Los Angeles’ advanced manufacturing base. He also cited links between India’s digital public infrastructure and Silicon Beach, shared clean energy priorities with California, and growing cooperation in space and aerospace. Srinivasa noted that India’s decision to open its space sector to private companies has fueled innovation in satellite launches and deep-tech startups. Los Angeles, he said, remains a global hub for aerospace, commercial spaceflight, and defense technology.
The event opened with a sarod performance by musician Stephen Day, who studied in India under Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. The performance set the tone for an evening that blended culture with policy and business. A panel on contemporary India featured Bobak Ferdowsi of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who spoke about NISAR, a $1 billion joint India-U.S. satellite launched from India last year. The satellite now provides detailed global data on weather, agriculture, climate change, and natural disasters.
Healthcare leaders also highlighted India’s growing role. Gary Ahwah, who has held senior roles at major U.S. healthcare organizations, said Indian teams deliver speed and scale, not just cost savings. Sonal Matai of Karl Storz said innovations by Indian engineers are shaping medical devices used at leading U.S. hospitals, including Cedars-Sinai.
In a later discussion moderated by Asia Society Southern California’s Dick Drobnick, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka warned that tariffs on India risk slowing momentum. He said improved rail and port infrastructure in India has transformed trade efficiency. Seroka praised India’s focus on supply chains and said U.S. port officials have learned from India’s major ports, including Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Adani Ports. He also said a proposed U.S. railroad merger could boost trade between India and California.
Looking ahead, startup leaders predicted strong growth. Expert Dojo CEO Brian MacMahon said India could produce up to 1,800 unicorn startups in the coming years. Los Angeles officials suggested hosting an India Hospitality House during the 2028 Olympics and reviving the sister city relationship between Los Angeles and Mumbai.
The audience included leaders from entertainment, biotechnology, academia, and global business. Looking out over the Los Angeles skyline, Garcetti reflected on the city’s lights and stories. Srinivasa closed the evening with a poetic message. India and Los Angeles, he said, are not just rising together. They are rising because they are together, guided by shared purpose and a bold vision for the future.
