The landscape of Tacoma’s global engagement gained a new feature with the City Council’s recent decision to forge a Friendship City relationship with Kochi, India. The adoption of Resolution 41815 marks an official acknowledgment of the bonds between the two port cities, situated oceans apart yet connected by mutual aspirations for economic and cultural exchanges.
Announced by Mayor Victoria Woodards and supported by District 4 Council Member Sandesh Sadalge, the friendship designation cements the work of the Tacoma-Kochi Friendship City Committee, including a well-received Festival of Light celebrating India Day last October. “Establishing this relationship expands Tacoma’s global engagement and creates new pathways for cultural, educational, and economic exchange,” Mayor Woodards said, in a statement published by the city’s official website. Tacoma’s initiative, sparked by the Committee’s efforts, has already seen cultural events and educational workshops engaging with the community.
Amidst the political gestures, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed during a delegation visit to Kochi in November 2024. It signifies more than just a promise of mutual goodwill; it underlines a shared dedication to community growth and sustainable practices between the twin coastal hubs…