About Us
History
America’s relationship with South India has a long history tracing back to 1794, when William Abbott was appointed a Consular Agent in Madras by Benjamin Joy, the first Consul of India, who understood the need to have a presence in South India. The origins of the relationship were based on the importance of Madras, now Chennai, as a trade partner, which has since inception grown and strengthened with time.
It wasn't until 1867 that the State Department directly appointed Joseph L. Thompson as the first Consular Agent to Madras. The main role of the Consular Agents of these times was to promote trade and American business interests. However, American diplomats were officially not recognized in India until India's Independence. More changes occurred over long stretches of times. On December 1908, acting on a recommendation by the Department of State, Nathaniel B. Steward officially became the first to be appointed as Consul of Madras. With the official level of the office as a Consulate, an office was set up on the third floor of a building owned by Parrys & Co., on No.1 China Bazar Road, now called Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Road. Once again, the office moved to a building between Rajaji Salai (formerly known as Beach Road) and Moore Street, which was later torn down to give way for a modern six story building, now known as Dare House. In 1940, the U.S. Consulate occupied the fourth floor of Dare House.
However, it was not until India gained Independence on 15 August 1947, that the American diplomatic post in Madras officially became a Consulate General. This is an event of great significance for it marks the beginning of a tremendous growth in Indo-American bilateral relationship. Roy E.B. Bower became the first Consul General in Chennai under the independent flag of India.
In the 1950s the Consulate General moved to a building on Mount Road, currently occupied by the Bank of America. Then, on January 3, 1969, the Consulate General moved to Gemini Circle which it now calls home, a new construction made possible through a land leased from St. George’s Cathedral.
Today, the American Consulate General continues to grow to serve South India and strengthen our bilateral relations. The Chennai Consulate is one of the top adjudication posts in the world, and the number one in processing employment based visas. Over 20,000 visitors enter the American Consulate General Chennai every month to obtain a series of services ranging from visits to the American Library to visa services.