chennai phillip a min who assumed charge as us consul general in chennai on thursday says he looks forward to exploring the rich cultural diversity of the people in south india in his 27year career in the us foreign service min has served in south america europe east asia south asia brazil poland korea japan colombia and pakistan in washington he worked at the office of the consular affairs this is an exciting time to arrive in south india and for usindia relations as we explore together new opportunities to deepen and broaden our strategic partnership i am thrilled to return to south asia and i look forward to exploring the rich cultural diversity of the people of south india he said min earned a bachelor of arts degree in arts history from haverford college in pennsylvania and did graduate work in east asian studies at the university of washington in seattle he received a master of science degree in national security policy from the national war college in washington dc he is a threetime recipient of the state departments superior honour award min was born in the washington dc area and considers his home base in the us to be split between new jersey and northern virginia he is married to eun young lee a classical pianist