Consulate General of the United States, Kolkata

The Consulate General of the United States of America in Kolkata represents the interests of the United States government in Kolkata, India and nearby surrounding areas. The Consulate General serves the Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim, and the seven sister states.

Consulate General of the United States of America in Kolkata
মার্কিন যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের কনস্যুলেট জেনারেল, কলকাতা
Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent
Melinda Pavek
since August 12, 2021
United States Department of State
StyleConsul General
NominatorPresident of the United States
Inaugural holderBenjamin Joy
as American Consul to India
FormationNovember 19, 1792
WebsiteOfficial website

Technically, the consulate reports through the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. The U.S Consulate in Calcutta is the U.S. Department of State's second oldest consulate in the world and dates from November 19, 1792 as the oldest U.S Consulate of India.[1]

History

The official representation of the U.S. government in India began in November 1792, when the United States's first President, George Washington, nominated Benjamin Joy, of Massachusetts, to be consul. In the 1860s, the Consulate General had under its jurisdiction seven consular agencies: Aden, Akyab, Bassein Chittagong, Cocanada, Moulmein and Rangoon.[2] The Metropolitan Building in Kolkata housed the United States Information Service office till 1991.

During the Vietnam War, the street outside the consulate was renamed after Ho Chi Minh. In 1995, British journalist John F. Burns characterized it as "one of the most beleaguered American diplomatic posts anywhere."[3]

An increase in the number of information technology (IT) companies in India is leading to an expansion of the consulate.[4]

List of consul generals
  • Dean R. Thompson (August 2011–August 2015)
  • Patti Hoffman (19 August 2015 – 11 August 2021)
  • Melinda Pavek (12 August 2021–present)

2002 attack
Main article: 2002 attack on American cultural centre in Kolkata

The American Cultural Centre at the consulate was attacked on the morning of 22 January 2002 by Islamic militants. The motorcycle-borne attackers killed 5 people, four of which were Kolkata Police constables and one belonged to a private security agency. Two groups claimed responsibility for the attack. A Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami member, Farhan Malik, claimed responsibility and said the attack was in protest against "the evil empire of America", while another person claiming to be a member of Asif Raza Commandos, a gang with ties to radical Islamic groups, also claimed responsibility.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Remarks by U.S. Consul General Henry V. Jardine for the Bharat Chamber Of Commerce". Speeches and Articles, Consulate General of the United States, Kolkata, India. U.S. Department of State. September 15, 2005. Archived from the original on August 7, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
  2. "Indo-American Relations: From Emergence into Strength" (PDF). Span: 11. July–August 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 1, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  3. John F. Burns (October 15, 1995). "Calcutta Hopes as Communists Push Free Market". The New York Times.
  4. "US consulates prepare for expected visa rush". The Statesman. June 21, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2008.
  5. "Gunmen attack US centre in Calcutta". BBC News. January 22, 2002. Retrieved July 27, 2013.


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