Selvaraj Alagumalai Appointed Honorary Consul General of India to Luxembourg

Selvaraj Alagumalai has been appointed the next Honorary Consul General of India to Luxembourg in a recent ceremony in Brussels.

Known as Selva, he moved to Luxembourg in 1992 from India and founded Fouress Systems SA, an IT solutions provider for the financial service sector, in 1997. He volunteered for the Indian Association of Luxembourg and was President from 2013 to 2023, "working to promote cultural exchange and support the growing Indian diaspora".

He has contributed to the growth of the Indian community in the Grand Duchy and to foster India-Luxembourg relations in various ways. "I still remember the administrative challenges faced bringing the first Indian IT professionals from India to Luxembourg and it is great to see how far we have come".

He stated "I am deeply honoured and humbled to be appointed as the next Honorary Consul General of India to Luxembourg. This appointment is not just a personal milestone but a privilege to serve and further enhance the strong relationship between India and Luxembourg. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Embassy of India Brussels for proposing me for this position and to the Government of India for entrusting me with this responsibility". 

He also revealed "It was also a great honour to be one of the first people of Indian origin to receive the prestigious Chevalier award from the Luxembourg Government in 2022, a recognition that further strengthened my commitment to building bridges between our two nations". He added "I look forward to this new chapter and working closely with the Indian Embassy in Brussels, the Indian community here in Luxembourg as well as local government officials to deepen our economic, cultural and diplomatic engagements".

Chronicle.lu got the opportunity to talk with Selvaraj Alagumalai.

Chronicle.lu: Please tell us about the process of becoming the Honorary Consul General of India to Luxembourg. What motivated you to accept the position?

Selvaraj Alagumalai: Instead of an Embassy in Luxembourg, the Indian government selects an individual to act as their representative in Luxembourg who they believe can successfully carry out the duties of an Honorary Consul General. The main function of this role is to act as a diplomatic, business and cultural liaison between the two countries as well as ensure consular services are provided to the diaspora. The position is an honorific one and the decision to appoint/propose someone to the role is done by the Indian Embassy in Brussels. When my name was put forward, the decision to accept was an easy one as the opportunity to serve my country of origin by building ties with my current home is a dream come true.

Chronicle.lu: How long is your mandate and what do you hope to achieve during this time?

Selvaraj Alagumalai: The mandate is for a minimum period of three years, and I look forward to doing my part in fulfilling the needs of the growing Indian community in Luxembourg. 

Chronicle.lu: More specifically, what are some of your main tasks and priorities in this role?

Selvaraj Alagumalai: Since the Indian diaspora continues to evolve, so do the needs. For example, a dedicated space to perform Indian end-of-life rituals is something that I will be actively involved in establishing in Luxembourg. Another endeavour particularly close to my heart is the creation of a community centre to pass on our languages, traditions and culture to the next generation. India and Luxembourg share a long-standing trading relationship, and I look forward to playing a role in creating further opportunities to bring businesses from both countries together.

Chronicle.lu: You have lived in Luxembourg since 1992 and have been greatly involved in fostering Luxembourg-India relations over the years. How will you leverage this experience / background in your new role?

Selvaraj Alagumalai: When I first moved here in 1992, there were around 200 Indians, in 2010 around 600, in 2020 around 3,000 Indians and now around 6,000 Indians call Luxembourg their home. Having been a part of the Indian Association of Luxembourg (IAL) since my arrival, I have experienced the various challenges faced by the community at each stage of its growth. In 2013, I took on the role of president of the IAL and continued its mission of promoting Indian, culture, festivals and food through various events. The highlight for me being India Day, introduced in 2016 and celebrated annually, it is a popular event showcasing India in the heart of Luxembourg.

Chronicle.lu: How closely and in what way will you work together with the Embassy of India in Brussels? And how might collaboration with government officials, the Indian community, etc. in Luxembourg be important in this role?

Selvaraj Alagumalai: The support of the Indian Embassy in Brussels, the Indian community and the local government officials will be crucial, and I look forward to working closely with them to deepen our economic, cultural, and diplomatic engagements.