By: Dr. Avi Verma

Dr. M. Anand Prakash, who assumed office as India’s new Consul General in Chicago on September 3, has begun his tenure with a series of meetings and community engagements across the Midwest.

A career diplomat who joined the Indian Foreign Service in 2005, Prakash brings nearly two decades of diplomatic experience to the assignment. Before moving to Chicago, he headed the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran Division at India’s Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. His previous diplomatic postings include Beijing, Moscow, Kyiv and Jakarta, as well as assignments involving foreign policy and multilateral affairs.

Since taking charge, Prakash has placed considerable emphasis on connecting with the Indian diaspora. He has held meetings at the Consulate with community leaders, business representatives and organizations, discussing issues of mutual interest and the priorities of Indian Americans across the region.

His early schedule has also included community service and cultural activities. As part of Seva Pakhwada 2026, the Consulate partnered with National India Hub in Schaumburg for a September 20 blood donation camp and the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” tree-planting initiative. The program, held under the theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat,” brought together students, families, volunteers and community members.

Prakash also attended the 17th Annual Chicago South Asian Film Festival, where he presented veteran actress Deepti Naval with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to Indian cinema.

His civic outreach has included a meeting with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at the Chicago Consular Corps Roundtable, where discussions included strengthening people-to-people ties through the Chicago-Delhi sister-city relationship. He has also met U.S. Congressman Shri Thanedar to discuss areas of India-U.S. cooperation.

Prakash’s early engagements signal a broad approach to his Chicago assignment, combining diplomatic priorities with community, cultural and civic connections across the Midwest.