Comment

India House, abode of the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom, is a piece of majestic masonry in the heart of London’s magnetic area of Aldwych. Its architecture, though, does not accommodate a revolving door.

Yet, with another high commissioner, Shiv Mukherjee, about to be substituted after a mere 15-month tenure — that, too, in the middle of preparations for President Pratibha Patil’s visit in October as the guest of Queen Elizabeth — one may be forgiven to think a swivel gate exists.

Not unexpectedly, Buckingham Palace wouldn’t comment on the matter. “It’s a political subject,” said a spokesperson for Elizabeth. Equally cautious, a British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) press official stated: “It is entirely a matter for the Indian government whom they seek to appoint and when.”

But the FCO were quick to illustrate that since 1977 there have been eight British highcommissioners in Delhi (to 12 Indian counterparts in London). All British envoys served four to five years, bar one. In the same span, only Seyid Muhammad and LM Singhvi stayed in excess of the conventional three years.

Changes of political appointees are understandable, but not rapid replacement of career diplomats, which has been the case in South Block’s postings.

Baroness Flather, a member of the British House of Lords, candidly remarked: “This creates a very bad impression.” She cited the case of Salman Haidar, who was recalled after just six months in 1998. About Mukherjee, she asserted: “He’s one of the best we’ve had. Just when we were getting to know him, he’s called away. I am extremely disappointed.”

A former Indian Foreign Secretary commented the London High Commissioner’s post has become a “dumping ground” for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). According to him, Britain’s importance has declined in New Delhi’s eyes. In 1984, Prakash Mehrotra was withdrawn within three months, after his son was caught stealing at a departmental store. In 1989 surfaced journalist Kuldip Nayyar, albeit only for the 11-month period.

The FCO subscribe to extended tours of duty, so that they are able to familiarise themselves with a head of mission and vice versa.

Singhvi’s record six years was, therefore, more than consistent with the FCO’s expectation; but his weakness for populism and self-aggrandisement rather shattered the image and institution of India House.

A series of experienced career or former diplomats — Haidar, Lalit Mansingh, Ranen Sen and Kamlesh Sharma — followed Singhvi, but none took the trouble of undoing the carnage. Indeed, not one of these completed a regular term.

The FCO has accepted the MEA’s proposal to send Nalin Surie, now secretary (West) at South Block, as the next high commissioner. From all accounts, this is an excellent choice; but was apparently not in the pipeline until quite recently. Nirupama Rao, who takes over from Shiv Menon as Foreign Secretary at month end, was obviously preferred to Surie for the top job. It is suspected the powers-that-be wanted Surie eased out to facilitate Rao’s smooth functioning.

Britain under prime minister Gordon Brown is unequivocally inclined towards closer ties with India as well as supportive of India’s permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council. Such goodwill should, arguably, not be taken for granted, irrespective of the British Foreign Minister David Milliband’s ill-advised remarks on Kashmir and Pakistan earlier this year.

Over the years, the FCO has been slightly troubled by South Block’s cavalier approach to senior representation in the UK. One wonders if a change of guard so close to a state visit might even be deemed to be insulting!