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Washington State Senate passes resolution honouring India’s Republic Day
The resolution was adopted with bipartisan support by all the Senators present in the session.
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Rwittika Chakraborty
- Wed, 28, Jan 2026
- 03:52 EST
- 21
U.S. Dignitaries being felicitated at the Republic Day reception at the Bell Harbor Conference Center in Seattle (26 January 2026, Seattle). / Courtesy Photo
The 77th Republic Day of India was commemorated in Olympia, Washington, with the passing of a unique resolution (SR-8674) in the Washington State Senate, which acknowledged India’s traditions of democracy, the contributions of the large Indian American population in the state, and the role of the Indian Consulate in fostering a multifaceted relationship with the state.
The resolution also mentions agriculture, trade, and technology, along with critical and emerging technologies, as shared priorities between India and Washington State.
ALSO READ: Multiple U.S. States proclaim Jan 26 as India’s Republic Day
The resolution was proposed by Indian American State Senator Manka Dhingra of the 45th Legislative District and supported by State Senator Vandana Slatter of the 48th Legislative District and was adopted with bipartisan support by all the Senators present in the session.
To mark the occasion, a special reception was hosted by the Consulate at the State Capitol in Olympia, where several State Senators, members of the Washington State House of Representatives, and dignitaries were in attendance.
Several states of the U.S. Northwest, in the Consulate’s jurisdiction, including Alaska, Nebraska, Washington, Oregon, and South Dakota, issued proclamations honouring the Republic Day celebrations by the Consulate.
Governors and dignitaries of the U.S. Pacific Northwest region congratulated India.
U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier of Washington’s 8th Congressional District said,
“On behalf of the people of Washington, I wish all of you a happy Republic Day as bright as your tricolor flag and as meaningful as the values and freedoms that your democracy represents. May the friendship between our peoples continue to grow ever stronger in the years ahead.”
Two separate events were hosted by the Consulate on Jan. 26, with the Consul General hoisting the Indian tricolour atop the Federal Reserve building in downtown Seattle and reading excerpts from the President’s address.
Mayor of Seattle Katie Wilson and a 30-member delegation from Montana were a part of the occasion as guests of honour.
The celebrations featured performances of patriotic poems and a traditional Kuchipudi dance.
A grand reception was hosted at the Bell Harbor Conference Center in Seattle with participation from several Washington State leaders, CEOs of leading tech companies and prominent Indian American leaders.
Dignitaries present at the event included First Lady of Washington State Colleen Ferguson, Commanding General of I Corps and JBLM, Washington Lt Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane, Attorney General of Washington State, Nick Brown, and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay.
CEO of Puget Sound Transit, Dow Constantine, Mayors of the Cities of Bellevue, Kirkland, Kent, Normandy Park, Deputy Mayor of Seattle Brian Surratt, Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes and Chairman of the Puyallup tribe Bill Sterud were also in attendance.
During the reception, six recently elected Indian American members of city councils in Washington State were recognized for their contributions to public service and for enhancing the profile and representation of Indian Americans in local governance structures.
Dignitaries and guests also viewed the One District One Product (ODOP) cultural heritage items from all 28 States of India, which were exhibited on the sidelines of the event.
As part of the morning flag unfurling ceremony, the newly co-located offices of the Indian Consular Application Center with the Consulate in the Federal Reserve Building were also inaugurated.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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