Indian High Commissioner to United Kingdom presents credentials to King Charles
The Hindu
Vikram Doraiswami is the first Indian envoy to be received at the palace by the King since the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Vikram Doraiswami has presented his credentials to King Charles III at Buckingham Palace in London, marking the formal start of his posting in the country.
Mr. Doraiswami is the first Indian envoy to be received at the palace by the King since the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in September.
The ceremony on December 8 steeped in tradition involves a horse-drawn carriage, which conveyed the High Commissioner and his wife Sangeeta from their official residence to the palace.
They were also accompanied by Deputy High Commissioner Sujit Ghosh and senior officials and concluded the journey with the ceremonial feeding of the horses with carrots.
"Our friends in the United Kingdom really know how to make this feel very special as we get to go in a four-horse buggy, something specific for Commonwealth heads of mission. So, we have greater horsepower," Mr. Doraiswami said on a lighter note, with reference to the pomp and ceremony attached to the event.
"His Majesty was very warm and gracious, and our interaction was laced throughout with his great affection for India," he said, sharing reflections from his audience with the 74-year-old monarch.
This marked the fourth time the diplomat has presented his credentials to a head of state, having served as India's Ambassador to Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea and most recently as the High Commissioner to Bangladesh.