Finland to Open Honorary Consulate in Ahmedabad to Strengthen Ties With India

Finland is set to open a new Honorary Consulate in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on June 9, 2025, marking a significant milestone in Finland–India diplomatic relations. The move is part of Finland’s broader efforts to expand its presence in India and enhance cooperation in key sectors such as education, innovation, sustainability, and digitalization.

To mark the official inauguration, Finnish Ambassador Kimmo Lähdevirta will travel to India next week, accompanied by a high-level business delegation. According to the Embassy of Finland in India, the establishment of the consulate underscores the country’s long-term commitment to strengthening ties with India and deepening collaboration across various fields.

"This development reflects Finland’s strong interest in building deeper partnerships with India, especially in Gujarat, in areas like education, sustainability, and tech-driven innovation," the Embassy said in a statement.

Business Leader Appointed as Honorary Consul

Prominent Indian business executive Kulin Lalbhai has been appointed as the new Honorary Consul of Finland in Ahmedabad. While honorary consulates do not offer full diplomatic services like embassies or consulates general, they play a critical role in assisting citizens in emergencies, facilitating cultural and economic cooperation, and, where possible, supporting visa and document-related queries.

Although it remains unclear whether the new honorary consulate will offer direct visa processing services, local officials anticipate that it will help alleviate pressure in western India, a region with growing travel and business links to Finland.

Indian Citizens Among Top Schengen Visa Applicants in 2024

The opening of the consulate comes amid rising demand for Schengen visas among Indian nationals. According to data from moving2europe, Indian citizens ranked third in total Schengen visa applications in 2024, with 1,108,239 applications submitted.

Of these, 936,748 visas were approved, while 165,266 applications were rejected, placing India’s overall Schengen visa rejection rate at 15%.

Finland alone received 17,762 visa applications from Indian citizens, approving 13,878 and rejecting a little under 4,000.

Top Schengen Destinations for Indian Travelers

In 2024, Switzerland emerged as the leading Schengen destination for Indian nationals, receiving 217,373 visa applications, followed by:

• France: 197,959 applications, 165,564 visas issued
• Germany: 142,955 applications, 126,812 visas issued
• Switzerland: 217,373 applications, 191,162 visas issued

The high volume of applications highlights the growing interest among Indian citizens in traveling to Europe for business, education, and tourism purposes.