Mumbai, correspondent CIRB Council for International Relations & Diplomacy, The ChangeMakers Magazine
The MVIRDC World Trade Center Mumbai, in association with the All India Association of Industries (AIAI), convened a Diplomatic Corps Gathering in the city to mark a moment of transition within Mumbai’s consular community — bidding farewell to one envoy while welcoming two others into their new roles.
The evening honoured H.E. Mr. Frank Geerkens, outgoing Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai, whose tenure has been closely associated with deepening India-Belgium trade and diplomatic ties. The gathering also formally welcomed Ms. Sato Hitomi, the newly appointed Consul General of Japan in Mumbai, and Mr. José Mauro da Fonseca Costa Couto, Consul General of Brazil in Mumbai, both of whom now take up their posts at a time when Mumbai continues to strengthen its position as a hub for international commerce and diplomatic engagement.
Members of the city’s diplomatic corps, alongside representatives of the business and trade community, gathered for what organisers described as an evening centred on meaningful conversation and relationship-building. The occasion offered a platform for outgoing and incoming consular officials, trade bodies, and industry stakeholders to reflect on existing partnerships and to lay the groundwork for future cooperation between India and the respective nations of Belgium, Japan, and Brazil.
In their remarks, representatives of WTC Mumbai reiterated the institution’s long-standing commitment to fostering cross-border trade relationships and creating structured avenues for dialogue between India’s business community and the diplomatic missions represented in the city. The Centre reaffirmed its intention to continue building bridges between nations through sustained engagement with consular offices, trade delegations, and industry associations.
Such gatherings, occurring against the backdrop of Mumbai’s growing role as a node for international trade diplomacy, underscore the city’s importance as a meeting point for global commerce. As consular transitions bring new faces into Mumbai’s diplomatic landscape, institutions like WTC Mumbai and AIAI continue to serve as connective infrastructure — ensuring continuity in trade relationships even as individual diplomatic postings change hands.
The ChangeMakers Magazine will continue to track developments in Mumbai’s diplomatic and trade ecosystem, including forthcoming engagements tied to WTC Mumbai’s international calendar.
Reported CIRB for The ChangeMakers Magazine (ISSN 2583-1844)
