NS Srinivasa Murthy, 71, has been appointed Honorary Consul General of Vietnam in Karnataka state for a three-year term, the first of such an appointment in India.

Vietnamese Ambassador to India Pham Sanh Chau and Vietnamese Honorable Consul General in Karnataka NS Srinivasa Murthy. Photo: Pham Thanh Tung

“He is the first honorary consul general of Vietnam from India and the 19th across the world. He is the third Consul General to be appointed globally this year,” Vietnamese Ambassador to India Pham Sanh Chau said at the ceremony held on July 9.

Pointing out the reason behind the appointment, Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau said it is aimed to “expand the outreach of the embassy of Vietnam to the state of Karnataka and the city of Bengaluru. This is a very big milestone in the relationship of Vietnam and India,” according to Indian media.

Srinivasa Murthy is the owner and managing partner of N. K. Subbiah Setty & Sons producing agarbattis (incense sticks) since 1932.

The honorable consul is tasked with expanding the outreach of Vietnam’s embassy to the state of Karnataka and its capital city of Bengaluru, protecting the interest of Vietnamese nationals and companies, and promoting trade, economics, investment, tourism, educational, and cultural cooperation between Vietnam and the State of Karnataka.

In addition, there’s a plan to open a direct flight between Bangalore and Vietnam and make Bangalore the technology hub for Vietnam.

“I will live up to expectations, to see that the interest of Vietnam is totally protected in the state of Karnataka,” said Srinivasa Murthy, who served as the president of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

According to Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau, there were five candidates for the position and the decision was made after an extensive screening process by both the governments of Vietnam and India.

Srinivasa Murthy is the first among five Consul Generals that the Vietnamese embassy is looking for in five states.

Vietnam and India will commemorate the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2022.

In a telephone conversation on July 10, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh discussed measures to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership. Modi invited Chinh to pay an official visit to India at an early suitable date.