The new premises of the Australian Consulate-General in Bengaluru was officially opened on Friday (July 31, 2026). It is Australia’s fifth diplomatic mission in India.

The premises was inaugurated by Julian Hill, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customers and Multicultural Affairs, and Assistant Minister for International Education, Australia, and M.B. Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, Government of Karnataka.

The Consulate-General, which commenced in Bengaluru in July, 2023, had been so far operating out of a temporary office. “It is a very significant footprint. There are more diplomats and Australian representatives here in this consulate that in many of our offices around the world. It reflects the importance that Australia is placing on our deepening relationship and strategic partnership with India,” said Mr. Hill.

Bengaluru’s critical role

Recognising Bengaluru’s importance as a global centre of entrepreneurship and technology, he said that the city has a crucial role in deepening the joint efforts of India and Australia in critical technologies, cyber security, and digital resilience.

It was earlier this month that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Australia-India Partnership on Cyber, Critical Technologies and Supply Chains (PACTS).

Fastest growing migrant population

Mr. Hill also spoke about how Indian migrants are Australia’s fastest growing group of migrants.

“A little over 4% of Australia’s entire population now claim Indian heritage from many parts of India, including Karnataka State. We have over 40 Australian companies that have a significant presence here,” he said.

Speaking about the inauguration of the University of New South Wales campus in Bengaluru, he quipped that never before had an opportunity arisen where he got to inaugurate a new consulate and a new university on the same day.

“But it’s a really important step for Australia because it deepens the two-way nature of our partnership. For a long time now, Australia has been incredibly proud to host large numbers of young Indians coming to spend some time in their formative years. We also hope that it will be a deeper bridge between our two nations, and we’ll see more young Australians be able to come and spend some of their formative years or months here in India,” he said.

Published - July 31, 2026 05:17 pm IST