Y.K. Sinha, India’s 26th High Commissioner to the U.K. since independence, presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday — a formal ceremony that takes place to mark the arrival of the new head of a country’s diplomatic mission.
Speaking after a reception, Mr. Sinha, who took up the post of High Commissioner in December, at a crucial time for U.K. India relations, said that they spoke at length about the strength of the ties between the two countries, with the Queen commenting on the contribution of the Indian community in the U.K, as well as the work being done to strengthen the bilateral relationship. “Our bilateral relationship is vibrant and robust,” said Mr. Sinha, who has previously been the head of India’s diplomatic mission in Venezuela, Dubai, and Sri Lanka, in addition to other postings across the world.
The Queen will host a reception at the end of February to mark the launch of the India-UK year of culture, which will see events taking place in cultural institutions in both countries. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is set to attend, heading a delegation that will include prominent public figures.
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The presentation of the letters of High Commission ceremony is a longstanding tradition in the U.K. that involves the High Commissioner being picked up from his or her residence by a horse-drawn carriage or “landau” and escorted by the Marshall of the Diplomatic Corps to Buckingham Palace, followed by a 20 minute audience with the Queen.