South Asia and Beyond

Diplomatic ‘Guest Appearance’

 Diplomatic ‘Guest Appearance’

It’s been a blink and miss kind of tenure for British high commissioner to India Sir Philip Barton. Less than a month since he presented his credentials to President Ram Nath Kovind, he’s now packing his bags to return home not because of any diplomatic spat or ‘illness’. The reason is a happy one—he’s been appointed head of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK (equivalent to foreign secretary).

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His tweet said it all, “I am excited to be taking up the role of Permanent Under Secretary in the new Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. I am also very sad to leave after such a short period as High Commissioner. I am extremely grateful to all in India for their incredibly warm welcome. I will always have a special connection with India (his daughter was born here). I leave here more convinced than ever that the relationship really is an “unbeatable combination” —a forward-looking, modern partnership focused on tackling the most important issues facing the world today.”

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