On Thursday 18 October 2018 a farewell dinner reception took place at the House of Lords for His Excellency Y. K. Sinha, the High Commissioner for India to United Kingdom, who is retiring after a distinguished foreign service career.
The dinner, which was arranged and hosted by Lord Loomba CBE and Mr Joginder Sanger, the Chairman of Mastcraft Group, was held at the Cholmondeley Room at the House of Lords and was attended by a number of high profile and influential figures, including Rt Hon, Baroness Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Rt. Hon. Tariq Ahmad, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, General Sir Nicholas Carter KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen, Chief of the Defence Staff, Emily Thornberry, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, as well as Baroness Flather and Mr. G. P. Hinduja, Co-Chairman of Hinduja Group, among key guests.
In Lord Loomba’s opening welcome address, he touched on how effective the Indian High Commissioner and his wife, Mrs. Girija Sinha, had been in developing relationships with British and international policy and decision makers and how their people skills have so successfully advanced India-UK relations. Lord Loomba also said, “I have attended a couple of farewell parties for them, where I have heard nothing but praise for them”, noting the High Commissioner’s and his wife’s natural ability to connect with people in diverse settings means they will also, at a personal level, be sincerely missed by many in the UK. After such an effective time in office in London, Lord Loomba remarked that for the High Commissioner to leave after less than two years in post was premature. Lord Ahmad, in his address, echoed the same sentiments, noting the High Commissioner contribution to India-UK relations has been tangible.
Baroness Scotland, in her address, highlighted how the High Commissioner had the ability, in negotiations and official meetings, to bring up difficult topics while at the same time bringing everyone with him. Baroness Scotland also emphasised the significance of India for the Commonwealth because of its sheer size and potential leverage this can bring the Commonwealth internationally.
When it came time for the High Commissioner himself to speak, he said how India, in relation to United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, “stands ready to be a friend and ally to the United Kingdom” in the new world it is entering. He expressed the view that Brexit be a starting point for the UK and India to reach the full potential of their relationship.
The occasion was rounded out with a vote of thanks by Mr Joginder Sanger to His Excellency High Commissioner Mr. Sinha and to Mrs. Sinha for their good work and to the assembled guests’ who came together to honour them at this dinner. He also acknowledged the work done by the staff of the House of Lords to make the night a success.
