Honorary Consulate of India

Meenu Malhotra, DL has been appointed the first ever Honorary Consul General of India in England. The appointment was formally announced on 30 August 2024 by the Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency, Mr Vikram Doraiswami. In the 75-year history of Independent India, this is a rare appointment and the first time such an honour has been bestowed in England.

The landmark former J T Parrish Department Store, 136-170 Shields Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1DT has been renamed ‘India House’, Honorary Consulate to India, acting on behalf of the Indian High Commission, supporting the needs of Indian diaspora living and working in Newcastle upon Tyne and the North East of England.

As Honorary Consul General, he will assist in enhancing the bilateral partnership, including reaching out to communities throughout England, and particularly in the North East. This will create vital links between Indian businesses as well as connecting to potential partners, striving to develop strong links across a range of sectors from pharmaceutical industries, technology, green energy, research and innovation, trade, and investment, all of which are specific areas of potential focus for India in its ties with the UK. This in turn will create cultural, educational and tourism initiatives between both countries.

Playing a pivotal role in fostering partnerships between England and India, Mr Malhotra will also ensure that the North East region’s enterprises are well-positioned to engage with India’s dynamic economy.