Diplomacyindia.com

Indian-origin diplomat Australia’s new envoy to India

Indian-origin diplomat Australia’s new envoy to India
February 11
13:09 2016

Canberra/New Delhi, Feb 11  Harinder Sidhu, a senior career diplomat of Indian origin, was on Thursday named Australia’s new high commissioner to India.

She will replace Patrick Suckling in New Delhi and will have non-resident accreditation to Bhutan as well.

She is the third Indian-origin envoy in India, after the US and Canadian envoys and the second Indian-origin Australian high commissioner in India.

“India is one of Australia’s closest and most significant partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop stated while making the announcement.

“It is our 10th largest trading partner and our two-way investment is worth over $20 billion,” she stated.

Bishop said that Australia would continue to push for the conclusion of a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement with India, designed to take the economic relationship between the two countries to a new level.

“Australia also has strong strategic and defence ties with India, conducting our first bilateral maritime exercises in 2015. There are also over 450,000 people of Indian descent currently residing in Australia driving our strong education, cultural and tourism links,” Bishop said.

Sidhu is a senior career officer with the Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, most recently serving as first assistant secretary of the Multilateral Policy Division.

She has previously served overseas in Moscow and Damascus. Sidhu’s previous roles included first assistant secretary in the Department of Climate Change, assistant director-general in the Office of National Assessments and senior advisor in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

She holds a bachelor of laws and a bachelor of economics degree from the University of Sydney.

In a separate statement, the Australian High Commission in New Delhi said that it would welcome Sidhu to India as the Australian high commissioner-designate next week .

It quoted Sidhu as saying that she was looking forward to her new role in a dynamic country.

“India is one of the most exciting places for a diplomat to be at the moment. India’s economic prospects are bright and it is becoming a more influential and active international player,” she was quoted as saying.

“The Australia-India relationship has grown substantially over the past few years and I will dedicate myself to building that relationship further,” she said.

“At a personal level, I have always been fascinated by the country of my heritage and am keen to learn more about India – its language, culture and history – while I am there.”

Both of Sidhu’s parents are from Punjab and her father was born in India.

Sidhu was born in Singapore and settled in Australia with her family as a child.

She speaks a little Punjabi and Hindi but is looking forward to the opportunity to become more fluent, according to the high commission statement.

One of Sidhu’s first tasks in the job is likely to be hosting the Australian men’s and women’s cricket teams in India for the T20 cricket World Cup next month, it added.

 

About Author

admin

admin

Related Articles

Dr Meena Singh Roy speaking on Uzbekistan Constitutional Reform Referendum 2023

On the Eve of 30th Years of Independence of Republic of Uzbekistan, H.E. Dilshod Akhatov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India in conversation with Ameya Sathaye, Editor-in-Chief.

Denmark Ambassador to India Freddy Svane in conversation with Amb Pradeep Kapur & Ameya Sathaye, Editor-in-Chief

Italy india will work closely together for G20 : Italy Envoy to India

Do you know why FINLAND is ranked number ONE in Happiness index, watch this interview with Finland Ambassador to India

Exclusive Interview : H.E. Jasem Ibrahem Al Najem Ambassador of Kuwait to India speaks on India Kuwait bilateral relations

ड्रैगन ने हाथी को क्यों डसा, भारत- चीन रिश्तों की कहानी- रंजीत कुमार के साथ अमेय साठे की विषेष चर्चा ड्रैगन ने हाथी को क्यों डसा, भारत- चीन रिश्तों की कहानी- रंजीत कुमार के साथ अमेय साठे की विषेष चर्चा 0 comment Read Full Article

H.E. Reuben Gauci, Ambassador of Malta to India speaks on India-Malta Bilateral Relations

Portugal supports India in covid crisis : Portugal Ambassador Carlos Pereira Marques speaks with Ameya Sathaye, Editor-in-Chief

Vietnam Ambassador to India, Pham Sanh Chau speaks on Vietnam support to India in tackling covid crisis

Netherlands supports India in covid crisis : Netherlands Ambassador Marten van den Berg speaks with Ameya Sathaye

Envoy Speaks : Gopal Baglay, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka speaks on Bilateral relations, business opportunities, Tourism & people to people to people contacts

Kuwait reciprocates, we stand with India in this hour of crisis : Kuwait Ambassador to India

Canadian High Commissioner, Nadir Patel speaking on support to India in covid crisis

Italian Ambassador to India, Vincenzo de Luca speaking on Italy support to India in covid crisis

H.E. Mr. Reuben Gauci, Malta High Commissioner to India speaks with Ameya Sathaye, Editor-in-Chief of Malta support to India in covid crisis

Danish Ambassador to India Freddy Svane speaking on Denmark aid to India

Video Interview with Vinod Daniel, CEO, India Vision Institute, Board Member, International Council of Museums & Chairman, Ausheritage

DENMARK AMBASSADOR FREDDY SAVNE VISIT TO CORONOVIRUS VACCINE FACILITY AT HYDERABAD, A TRIP ORGANISED BY MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, GOVT OF INDIA FOR FOREIGN ENVOYS BASED IN INDIA.

MALTA HIGH COMMISSIONER TO INDIA, H.E. REUBEN GAUCI SHARING HIS IMPRESSION ABOUT HIS VISIT TO HYDERABAD : TRIP ORGANISED BY MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA FOR ENVOYS BASED IN INDIA TO UPDATE ON CORONAVIRUS VACCINE

H.E. Mr. Dinesh Bhatia, Ambassador of India to Argentina in conversation with Ameya Sathaye, Editor-in-Chief

Pictures of Formal Launch of Website Diplomacyindia.com

Exclusive Interview with Prime Minister of Guyana, H.E. Mr. Moses Veerasammy Nagamootoo during his recent visit to India.Highlights of the interview were Indian Cultural Connect, Vibrant Bilateral Ties and Cultural Connect and India’s Economic Prowess.

Video Message from Shri Prakash Javadekar, MoS (IC) for Forest, Environment & Climate Change on eve of Formal Launch of Website Diplomacyindia.com

Message from Gen. V K Singh, (Retd.) Hon’ble MoS, External Affairs to Diplomacyindia.com