Consul General of India in New York, Ambassador Binaya Pradhan, emphasized that the India-U.S. relationship has reached a pivotal moment, describing ongoing issues like tariffs and immigration as minor elements of a broader, and stronger partnership.

Speaking at the “Harmony in Unity – Progress for All” event, hosted by the Consulate General of India in New York in collaboration with the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in New Jersey, Ambassador Pradhan likened the bilateral relationship to “a large bouquet of flowers where one will find a few thorns.” While acknowledging some challenges, he underscored that the overall relationship stands on a firm foundation.

“There are issues where the two governments are working together to resolve to find amicable solutions,” Ambassador Pradhan noted.

He also outlined three key concerns that the Consulate seeks to address with the community’s support. The first involves challenges faced by the diaspora, particularly the exploitation by unscrupulous agents charging exorbitant fees or providing fraudulent NRI certificates and passports. 

He acknowledged that the Consulate itself has fallen short at times in the past in meeting the expectations of the diaspora. To improve service, the Consulate has now been operating 365 days a year since May 2024 and is even open on national holidays from 2 to 4 p.m.

Ambassador Pradhan also highlighted the growing issue of phone scams, where fraudsters impersonate Consulate officials to solicit personal details, including passport information. He urged community members to remain vigilant and refrain from sharing sensitive information.

Addressing socioeconomic disparities within the diaspora, he pointed out that approximately 6 per cent – about 330,000 individuals – live below the poverty line.

“They require our support. Rather than sending money to India, please divert your resources to the people who need it here that would be worth because it would uplift those who are in need.”

He noted that many of these individuals are women involved in ongoing legal battles. The Ambassador encouraged the community – particularly lawyers, doctors, and philanthropic organizations – to volunteer their time and expertise to support them.

Ambassador Pradhan also called for greater community involvement in supporting Indian students in the United States, many of whom struggle with cultural adaptation, legal complexities, drug abuse, and cybersecurity threats. He warned that a growing number of students are receiving notices of self-deportation and visa revocations. While the government continues its efforts, he stressed the importance of community-led counseling and support systems.

Praising the architecture of the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, he called it the largest functional Hindu temple in the world and a symbol of the evolving “diverse and strategic,” India-U.S. relationship.

He noted that the Indian American diaspora, now 5.4 million strong, plays a vital role in the U.S. and is widely celebrated in India. He cited a report by the Boston Consulting Group and Indiaspora’s Impact Report titled “Small Community, Big Contributions, Boundless Horizons,” published last year emphasizing their contributions in various sectors. Notably, there are 32,000 permanent faculty members of Indian origin in American universities, he said. 

Vedant Acharya Yogananddas Swami​ of the BAPS Temple shared a spiritual reflection on unity, emphasizing the need to rise above divisions and see all beings as part of a shared family.

“We make sacrifices. We make sacrifices for certain people and not for others. We make sacrifices for our family. But the difference comes because we see some people as ours and other people as not ours. It’s always been us versus them.”

He went on to say that many of society’s problems arise from superficial differences. According to him, every argument, every war, every crime against humans or animals – every single issue – can ultimately be traced back to just one millimeter of skin, as people often separate and judge others based on skin color or gender.

“We are all exactly the same, because the same god exists within all of us. That is the universal unity in diversity. And the moment we go to that spiritual level, all problems go away, all prejudice disappears, all racism disappears. It’s no longer us versus them. It’s only us…”

Stuti Buddhadev, a practicing nurse and a volunteer at the BAPS temple, delivered a spiritual message on the theme of unity and harmony, emphasizing the importance of seeing beyond differences. She recounted the story of the construction of the Swaminarayan Temple, highlighting the unity and collaboration of diverse individuals in its creation. 

She said “Akshardham wasn’t built. It was woven with time, with love and labor of people who had nothing in common, but believed in one thing, that was unity.”

Related posts:

IAICC Conference at Akshardham Temple Explores India’s Economic Growth and Global Opportunities BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, vandalized Let us have Fun! It is Kids’ Diwali at BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir! BAPS Abu Dhabi’s Brahmaviharidas Swami Praises Indiaspora’s Mission of “Doing Good” ahead of Indiaspora Forum for Good 2025