New York: Indian diplomats and their families posted to the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations remain displaced more than three weeks after evacuation orders were issued following structural concerns at a nearby high-rise construction site in Manhattan.
The Permanent Mission of India, located just over a block from the UN headquarters, houses both the mission’s offices and residential accommodation for diplomats and their families.
On July 7, authorities ordered the evacuation of the mission building and several nearby properties after structural damage was reported at the former headquarters of pharmaceutical company Pfizer, a 37-storey building undergoing redevelopment between Second and Third Avenues on East 42nd Street.
The Indian mission is situated directly across the street from the affected building, in an area that also houses several UN missions, UN agency offices, hotels, restaurants, residential buildings and businesses.
Following the evacuation order, all Indian diplomats and their families vacated the premises and moved into temporary accommodation at hotels across New York City.
Although evacuation orders for most surrounding buildings were lifted within a day and nearby streets have since reopened to traffic, the Indian mission, along with a school and a hotel in the area, remains under evacuation orders.
Three weeks after the incident, New York City authorities have yet to provide a timeline for when the mission building can be safely reoccupied.
The prolonged displacement has caused significant disruption for diplomats and their families. Despite these challenges, mission staff have continued to carry out their official responsibilities, including coordinating External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to the United Nations on July 13, during which India formally launched its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028–29 term.
According to sources, the Indian mission has raised its concerns with the relevant New York authorities as diplomats continue to work under difficult circumstances.
The New York City Department of Buildings has not responded to queries regarding the status of the mission building, the continuing evacuation, or an estimated timeline for reopening.
The Permanent Mission of India is housed in a 27-storey, red granite-clad building designed by renowned Indian architect Charles Correa and completed in 1993. It is located between East 43rd and East 44th Streets, just off Second Avenue.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has described the situation at the former Pfizer building as “extremely serious,” stating that the structure remains unstable.
In an update posted on X on July 18, New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani said the agency had detected no further movement in the affected building for more than a week. While officials have outlined efforts to stabilise the structure, no announcement has been made regarding when neighbouring buildings, including the Indian mission, will be allowed to reopen.
