Meet Gaitri Kumar: India's New High Commissioner To The UK

Diplomat Gaitri Kumar, who has been appointed as India's next High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, arrived in the country yesterday to assume office. Kumar will be taking over at India House in London from Ruchi Ghanashyam, who retired and left for New Delhi last month.

Notice of Appointment

The Ministry of External Affairs, on June 2, made the announcement pronouncing Gaitri Issar Kumar the "next High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom," notifying that she would take up the assignment shortly. Now 20 days post the announcement, Kumar has arrived in the UK to begin her term.

Kumar was born in Bangalore, and attended Sophia High School, thereafter pursuing her graduation from Bangalore University.

She is the third woman to take charge as the High Commissioner of India to the UK, the first woman being Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit who served from 1955 to 1961. The Outlook reports that the formal tenure of an ambassador begins following a ceremony at the Buckingham Palace in the presence of the Queen. However, due to the coronavirus outbreak, the formal ceremony may be postponed.

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About Gaitri Kumar

Kumar was born in Bangalore, and attended Sophia High School, thereafter pursuing her graduation from Bangalore University. She is fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, with a knowledge of German, Portuguese, Nepali and French languages as well, Outlook India notes.

An Indian Foreign Service officer from the batch of 1986, Kumar's career spans 30 years in service. She has held various positions in the Ministry of External Affairs for the Government of India, dedicated to promoting "India's political, trade and economic as well as cultural cooperation with friends and partners," according to a statement released by the Indian High Commission in London.

An Indian Foreign Service officer from the batch of 1986, Kumar's career spans 30 years in service.

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Prior to her appointment as High Commissioner, Kumar was the Indian ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union. She has also served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Paris, Counsellor in the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva along with terms in Kathmandu and Lisbon. Furthermore, she previously served as Joint Secretary in the Americas division at the ministry's headquarters in Delhi, NDTV reported.

Tanvi Akhauri is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.