Indian consulate plans to expand services in Macau, says consul general

Consul General Rajesh N. Naik

The Consulate General of India in Hong Kong and Macau plans to expand its range of services in Macau as part of efforts to strengthen engagement with the local Indian community and deepen cultural and economic ties, according to Consul General Rajesh N. Naik.

Speaking to The Times during an event co-hosted with Artyzen Grand Coloane, the consul general said the consulate is already conducting regular monthly consular outreach in the city and aims to broaden the scope of services offered.

“We are coming every month for what we call consular camps,” the diplomat said. “We want to expand that entire suite of consular services which we offer in Hong Kong, and we would like to offer such services in Macau every month.”

He said the camps currently assist Indian nationals with passport applications, document attestation and other administrative services, and could be expanded to include visa processing and business-related services.

“That means people can apply for passports, Macau residents can apply for Indian visas, and any company wanting to do trading with India, Indian companies, they can get their documents attested in such camps,” he said.

The official said Macau holds a “special place” for India due to its historical Lusophone connections, particularly through Goa. “Macau has a very historical connection with India through the Lusophone linkages… Goa and Macau share deep-rooted cultural linkages,” he said.

Beyond consular services, he also noted the presence of the Indian community in Macau, which numbers just over 700 residents.

“The Indian community, especially in Macau, is a small community… but their influence in society is tremendous,” he said. “They’ve been active in art, culture, in every part of Macanese society.”

He added that cultural contributions such as yoga, Ayurveda, cuisine and food festivals have helped strengthen people-to-people ties. “They have brought India closer to the people of Macau.”

Meanwhile, he pledged that the consulate will expand cooperation with Macau.

“We remain committed to forging deeper ties between India and Macau,” he said. “We would love to see a more active role and make events like this bigger and better.”

The diplomat added that the consulate is preparing for further engagement, including International Yoga Day activities in June.

He also noted that Macau recorded around 80,000 visitors from India last year.

“The footprint is easily 100,000-plus people every year when including Hong Kong visitors,” he said.

While acknowledging Hong Kong’s larger Indian community of over 42,000, he said Macau remains strategically important. “Macau, though 700 plus, is very significant,” he said.

‘Echoes of India’ brings cultural experience to Coloane resort

Grand Coloane Resort held its “Echoes of India · Taste of Tradition Dinner Buffet” on Saturday, in collaboration with the Consulate General of India in Hong Kong and Macau SAR, bringing together cuisine, performances and cultural activities in an island resort setting.

The event took place across Café Panorama and the Garden Lawn, beginning with afternoon cultural workshops and activities, followed by an evening buffet dinner featuring a selection of northern and southern Indian dishes curated by Chef Nathi.

The programme included live cultural performances, with dance presentations by visiting performing groups from Hong Kong and musical performances throughout the evening.

Guests also participated in interactive activities such as henna painting, herbal workshops and traditional games, alongside family-friendly recreational facilities.

“It’s such a fun event,” a participant told The Times. “It’s not always that we have these kinds of settings in an outdoor place with good food and just fun. It’s also a chance to see Indian culture and the likes,” she added.

General Manager Christian Buggelsheim said the event was designed to offer a broader cultural experience beyond dining.

“Echoes of India · Taste of Tradition Dinner Buffet reflects Grand Coloane Resort’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences that go beyond dining, where culture, community and connection come together in a relaxed island setting,” he said.

He added that the collaboration aimed to present Indian cultural traditions in an accessible format. “We are pleased to bring the richness of Indian traditions to life in a way that is welcoming, engaging and enjoyable for guests of all ages,” he said.

A lucky draw was also held during the evening, with prizes including accommodation packages, dining vouchers and sponsored gifts from participating partners.