Consul General of India Parvathaneni Harish visited northern New Mexico from March 11-13. He was greeted at the airport by Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Kohli, Pawan Singh Dhinsda, Hari Singh Khalsa and Marshall Katz, the Chief of Aviation Police. During his visit, the Consul General met with dignitaries from the State of the New Mexico, as well as members from the Sikh and Indian communities.
On March 12, Consul General Harish met with New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez and Lt. Governor John A. Sanchez, along with Satpal Singh Kohli and Pawan Singh Dhindsa. They also met with the New Mexico Secretary of Tourism Monique Jacobson. During their meeting, Harish discussed bilateral trade and creating a cultural exchange with New Mexico.
He discussed various ways to increasing trade between New Mexico and India in the areas of imports and exports, increasing Indian foreign student participation at University of New Mexico and in the area of film making in New Mexico. There was also conversation about alternative healthcare and energy projects. Harish apprised the Governor of the excellent relationship between India and the US. Governor Martinez expressed keen interest in developing further relations between New Mexico and India and assured the Consul General her support and cooperation for stronger ties.
In the evening, a special dinner was hosted for the Consul General at India House. Consul General Harish was joined at dinner by other New Mexico leaders, including Attorney General Gary King, State Treasurer James Lewis, State Auditor Hector Balderas, and Mayor of Santa Fe David Coss. During the dinner the Consul General discussed trade development between India and New Mexico. He offered the possibility of developing a sister-city relationship between Santa Fe and Albuquerque with Amritsar or Chandigarh in India. All the leaders gave short speeches welcoming the Consul General and said they will cooperate to strength the bond between New Mexico and India.
Members of the Sikh community also attended the dinner. These included Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Kohli and Pawan Singh Dhinsda, who organized and hosted the Consul General’s visit to New Mexico; MSS Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa, Chief of Protocol for Sikh Dharma, his wife Sat Bachan Kaur Khalsa and Guru Simran Kaur Khalsa. Other community members were in attendance for the dinner. Pawan Singh Dhindsa in his speech thanked the various dignitaries for attending the dinner reception. Satpal Singh Kohli introduced the Consul General to the audience and thanked him for coming to New Mexico and meeting the community members. Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa welcomed the Consul General on behalf of Sikh Dharma and invited him and his family to visit again and spend more time in New Mexico.
The Sikh community in New Mexico has long maintained a positive connection with the Indian Counsel General’s Office in the United States. Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Kohli is the son-in-law of the late Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji. Yogiji established a Sikh community in the Espanola Valley over 40 years. That community still thrives today. Kohli escorted Consul General Harish on a tour of the community founded by his father-in-law during the morning of March 12.
In the evening of March 12, Pawan Singh Dhinsda hosted a tea for the Counsel General at his home. The following morning, on March 13th, Mayor David Coss joined the Consul General, Satpal Singh and Pawan Singh for breakfast. After that he left for Albuquerque for some more meetings, including with Dr Vasant Ladd.
Counsel General Harish thoroughly enjoyed his visit to New Mexico, and said he would like to come again for a longer visit. He expressed to the leaders of New Mexico an interest in solar energy, oil and natural gas. He invited various officials to organize trade delegations to India, and offered the full support and cooperation of the Indian government.
India Post News Service
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