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).
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.”
