Consulate General of India
Seattle
PRESS RELEASE
A HISTORIC MOMENT: TIRANGA HOISTED ON SEATTLE’S ICONIC SPACE NEEDLE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!
In a landmark and historic first in Seattle, the flag of India was raised on top of the Space Needle today in honour of India’s 79th Independence Day celebrations. Built in 1962 for the World Fair, the Space Needle stands as a symbol of Seattle’s skyline and epitomizes the tech-driven future of the US Pacific Northwest region.
- Consul General of India in Seattle along with Mr. Bruce Harrell, Mayor of Seattle and other select dignitaries from Seattle city leadership joined in the historic occasion and acknowledged the contributions of the Indian American diaspora in shaping Seattle’s journey as a tech hub in the US Pacific Northwest.
- A community reception was separately hosted by the Consulate at the scenic Kerry Park, which offered sweeping views of the Seattle skyline, with India’s flag on top of Space Needle in the backdrop, where large numbers of Indian American community members turned up to witness the historic sight.
- Several US dignitaries graced the Kerry Park reception including U.S. Congressman (WA-9thdistrict) Adam Smith, Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court Hon’ble Debra L. Stephens and Superintendent/Director of Seattle Parks & Recreation AP Diaz. Addressing the gathering, US Rep. Adam Smith welcomed the historic celebration, noting that the Indian Tricolor hoisted atop the Space Needle is a tribute to the city’s diversity and the strong bonds between India and the Pacific Northwest.
- A vibrant cultural segment featuring national anthems, along with a cultural dance performance showcasing the rich diversity of Indian art forms, and a poetic recital by renowned artist and actor Piyush Mishra followed.
- In a special gesture to honour India’s 79thIndependence Day in the Greater Seattle area, King County (that covers 39 cities) along with Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma and Bellevue issued official proclamations marking 15 August as India Day.
- Separately several iconic buildings in Seattle were also lit up in Indian tricolors. These included the Lumen Stadium, T-Mobile Stadium, Westin, Seattle Great Wheel and Space Needle. The Indian Flag was also hoisted at the prestigious Tacoma Dome, Tacoma City Hall and at the Headquarters of Tacoma Police and Fire Departments. It may be noted that India opened its 6thConsulate in Seattle (Washington) in November 2023 and has since actively deepened its engagements with the US Pacific Northwest.
(15 August 2025, Seattle)
Consul General of India raising Indian tricolor atop iconic Space Needle (15 August, 2025, Seattle)
Indian tricolor soaring against the Seattle skyline (15 August, 2025, Seattle)
Indian tricolor soaring against the Seattle skyline (15 August, 2025, Seattle)
US Congressman Adam Smith addressing the gathering at Kerry Park (15 August, 2025, Seattle)
Indian tricolor soaring against the Seattle skyline (15 August, 2025, Seattle)
Participants gathered at Kerry Park to celebrate the historic occasion of Indian tricolor raised atop Space Needle (15 August, 2025, Seattle)
Indian tricolor soaring against the Seattle skyline (15 August, 2025, Seattle)
Proclamations issued by King County and Seattle, Bellevue, Spokane, Tacoma in honour of India's 79th Independence Day celebrations (15 August, 2025, Seattle)
The iconic Seattle Great Wheel lit up in tricolor in honour of India's 79th Independence Day celebrations (15 August, 2025, Seattle)
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