On March 4, 2023, in Seattle, a significant event took place as a bust of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at the esteemed Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana in Missoula, as per a report from the Indian Consulate in Seattle.

The unveiling ceremony was presided over by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and the Consul General of India in Seattle, attracting prominent state officials, university faculty, students, and members of the Montana World Affairs Council.

During his address, Governor Gianforte expressed appreciation to the Consulate for the bust, which was presented as a gift from the government of India to the state of Montana.

He highlighted the growing relationship between India and Montana, emphasizing the importance of the nonviolent principles championed by Mahatma Gandhi in today's global society.

The Mansfield Center, established by an act of the US Congress in 1983, is dedicated to nurturing globally minded leaders of integrity while promoting civic and international education rooted in ethical leadership and civic responsibility.

Later that evening, a vibrant celebration of the Indian festival of colors, Holi, took place at the university. Executive Director Deena Mansour remarked that the inaugural Holi festivities in Montana symbolize "the arrival of spring and the essence of unity."

A significant number of Montanans participated in the Holi celebrations, using organic Indian colors and later attending the Indian Film Festival, which featured the Bollywood classic "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara". Attendees also enjoyed the traditional Holi sweet, gujiya.

Earlier that day, approximately 400 students from Montana were briefed on Brand India, where they explored the diverse flavors of Indian coffee, including ARAKU, as part of the Academic World Quest Conference organized by the Montana World Affairs Council.

Since the inception of the new Indian Consulate in Seattle, the bilateral relationship between India and Montana has flourished. In June 2025, a group of ten high-school students from Montana experienced a cultural immersion program in India. This was followed by a 50-member delegation from Montana, including business and education leaders, who participated in the Second Edition of the Invest India Business Forum on January 25.

The unveiling of the Gandhi bust and the Holi festivities further solidified the cultural and interpersonal connections between India and Montana.

Notably, the Gandhi bust at the Mansfield Center is the fourth of its kind established in the US Pacific Northwest, following previous installations at the Space Needle in Seattle (October 2024), the State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska (December 2024), and the Bellevue Public Library (October 2009).