The much-anticipated establishment of the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Auckland has officially commenced, marking a significant milestone for the Indian diaspora in the region. H.E. Dr Madan Mohan Sethi, the first Consul General of India in Auckland, arrived as scheduled on Sunday, November 17, and wasted no time in getting to work. Within hours of his arrival, Dr Sethi expressed his eagerness to meet with prominent community leaders to understand their concerns and aspirations.
A meet-and-greet event was organized the following day, November 18, at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre, which is currently serving as the temporary office for the CGI. The event drew an enthusiastic gathering of approximately 40–45 community members. Notable attendees included well-known leaders and figures such as Ranjna Patel, Jeet Suchdev, Roopa Suchdev, Anurag Rasela, Dhansukh Lal, Jyoti Parashar, Yugal Parashar, Harshad Patel, Aman Kharbanda, Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala, Sandeep Agrawal, Vai Ravindran, Ambrish Gupta, and Yatish Wadera, among others. The Indian News was the sole ethnic media outlet present to cover the event.
The meeting began with a warm welcome from Pushpa Lekinwala, President of the Auckland Indian Association. She greeted Dr Sethi on behalf of the community and expressed optimism that the long-awaited establishment of the CGI in Auckland would address many of the diaspora’s longstanding needs. Dr Sethi was joined at the event by Consul Sanjeev Kumar, who had arrived in Auckland two months earlier to begin preparations for the new consulate.
Dr Sethi started the proceedings with a brief introduction about himself and the objectives of the new Consulate General office in Auckland. He emphasized the significance of his role, noting that Auckland is home to a majority of New Zealand’s Indian diaspora. Following his introduction, community members were invited to introduce themselves and share their thoughts. This was followed by a lively question-and-answer session where attendees voiced their concerns and queries. Dr Sethi responded to each question patiently and thoroughly, assuring the community that the CGI would prioritize resolving their pressing issues as soon as the office becomes fully operational.
He emphasized his commitment to ensuring the CGI office remains accessible and community focused. “The doors of the CGI office will be open to everyone in the community, and we will strive to provide services efficiently and without any hassles,” Dr Sethi stated, earning applause from those present.

Dr Sethi brings a wealth of experience to his new role. A surgeon by profession, he joined the Indian Foreign Service in 2006 and has since held various significant positions. After completing his training at the Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi, he worked in the BSM (Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Maldives) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs. He later served as a Language Trainee at the Indian Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar, where he managed the Cultural and Information Wing. His tenure as Consul General in Myanmar, followed by roles in Italy and Vietnam, included responsibilities ranging from political and commercial diplomacy to representing India at international organizations such as the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Dr Sethi highlighted his positive approach to problem-solving and reassured the diaspora of his dedication to resolving their issues. He acknowledged the unique challenges faced by the Indian community in New Zealand and underscored his intention to address these challenges efficiently. “Whatever issues the community is facing, we are here to resolve them in a timely manner,” he said. He also noted the importance of Auckland as a hub for the Indian community, given the large diaspora population in the region.
Looking ahead, Dr Sethi shared plans for the new CGI office, which is expected to be fully operational by the New Year. He revealed that potential office locations in Auckland’s central business district have already been identified and are awaiting approval from New Delhi. Once finalized, the office will operate with a staff of 22–25 members, making it larger than the Indian High Commission in Wellington. The formal inauguration of the CGI office may also feature a ministerial visit from India, underscoring its importance.
Dr Sethi concluded the event by thanking everyone for attending on such short notice and expressed his gratitude for the community’s support. He emphasized his hope for continued collaboration as the CGI office begins its operations, promising a brighter future for the Indian diaspora in Auckland. -Yugal Parashar