This is the story of a member of the Indian government whose work is critical to the smooth functioning of international diplomacy. Handling world leaders as a matter of routine, this official has the kind of character that forms the quiet backbone of any mission.
M.P.Singh has just completed a three-year posting as First Secretary, Protocol at the Indian High Commission, London. Returning to Delhi, he will take up a senior position in the Ministry of External Affairs.
Background
Mr MP Singh’s grandfather was an engineer in the army, serving in Burma, Ceylon and Africa. His father was an engineer in the Northern railways. Mr Singh’s mother originated in Rawal Pindi.
M.P. schooled in India’s capital city and took his honours degree at Khalsa College, Delhi University. Most career diplomats need to have languages. He speaks Vietnamese, fluent Spanish and understands Portuguese.
He chose to enter the Indian Foreign Service, he said in interview in his office in India House, because it was always seen as the “Prime place where you could contribute more than anywhere else. You could project and showcase India’s potential. To get India into its rightful place in the Committee of Nations.”
MP's first postings were Hanoi in Vietnam, then Cuba.
He studied with a language professor three times a week to get his Vietnamese fluent. "The best way to learn a language is conversing with people," he said. "If you learn through the street you'll never forget it. In Vietnamese, a single word can have six different meanings. Castro understood English but believed in speaking his own language. "
Between 1989-91, Vietnam experienced “Doi Moi” politics, a period of opening up. “To be on the political desk then was fascinating,” remarked MP. It was the most challenging period for Vietnam. It was the period immediately after its withdrawal from Cambodia, and the country was emerging from a time of regional conflict.
Cuba, where the diplomat was next posted, was also going through its most challenging time. It was just after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and along with its collapse, its economic support to Cuba dried up.
“Cuba suffered,” Mr Singh noted. “It was ‘Periodica Especiale,’ a special period, because of the evolution of the economy.” Italy, France and Canada stepped into the breach.
He remembers Cubans as “exotic, wonderful people, true possessors of the Bob Marley spirit with fancy vintage cars, always wanting to live life to the full, though with a circumspect manner.”
He described Cubans as innovative, able to maintain a car’s roadworthiness long past its sell by date.
He found Cuba advancing in medicine, education, and women’s rights. “Women were and are driving around; they’re builders, ship captains, presidents of chambers of commerce. There is gender equality there.”
After Cuba, MP was in the Indian Prime Minister’s Office for three years in charge of Protocol. So he dealt with all the incoming visits by royalty, presidents, prime ministers and foreign ministers. During two tenures at the Prime Minister’s office he met and looked after more than 125 presidents, prime ministers and kings. He met all three of the recent American presidents; Clinton in 2003, Bush in 2006, and Obama in 2010.
Mr Singh also dealt with visits abroad by the Indian Prime Minister, President and Vice President. He did not specify (for reasons of sensitivity) but said that his work covered anticipation, planning and co-ordination with stakeholders [agencies]. “We have a saying in the Protocol department; ‘All that exists between anything and everything is Protocol’s baby,’ he smiled enigmatically.
Standout VIPs among a collection of standout people were “Pope John Paul,” he remarked. “He made the unique gesture of patting me on the shoulder; he does not normally touch anyone.”
MP also met Mother Teresa, and handled her funeral too. “59 delegations from across the world attended it,” he commented.
He remembers meeting Chinese presidents and prime ministers, former French President Jacques Chirac and the UK’s Queen Elizabeth.
Mr M.P.Singh had two long meetings with the Dalai Lama. “I asked him about how to control anger. He said that while it easy to vent anger, ‘you should not keep it with you. Holding anger is like keeping a burning ember in the hand with the intention of throwing it at someone. Eventually, you get burnt if you hold onto it.’ His Holiness is witty, humorous and cracks jokes.”
India sees London as a critical mission, so generally posts officials here who are destined for promising futures.
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"You could project and showcase India’s potential. To get India into its rightful place in the Committee of Nations.” First Secretary, Protocol
