Indian high commissioner to UK presents credentials to Queen

Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Yashvardhan Kumar Sinha, today presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II in a traditional ceremony at the Buckingham Palace here.
Sinha, a seasoned diplomat with a career spanning over 35 years, was taken to official residence of the British Monarch in a horse-driven carriage.
"It is one of those ceremonies one reads about and being part of it today was truly exhilarating," Sinha, 58, said, in reference to the ceremony that includes the journey from the high commissioner's official residence at Kensington Palace Gardens to Buckingham Palace in central London.
Today's ceremony timing coincided with the Change of Guard at the Palace, with thousands of tourists gathered at the gates to wave at the Indian envoy's entourage as it entered the palace.

Sinha's wife, Girija Sinha, Deputy High Commissioner Dinesh Patnaik and senior officers of the Indian High Commission in London were present at the ceremony.
Sinha is the 26th High Commissioner of India to the UK since 1947.

A post-graduate in History from Delhi University, Sinha was earlier posted as High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka and took up his UK assignment in December 2016.
"The High Commissioner conveyed greetings from the President and Prime Minister of India to the Queen and reiterated the commitment of the Government of India to work towards implementation of the roadmap agreed between the two countries during the visit of the UK Prime Minister Theresa May to India in November 2016," an official statement said.

"Her Majesty, the Queen expressed happiness at the various initiatives being taken by both countries to further enhance the bilateral relations.
"The High Commissioner thanked her Majesty the Queen for hosting a reception to commence the India-UK year of culture," it added.
After the presentation of Credentials, the High Commissioner and his wife hosted a reception at their residence for dignitaries including Members of Parliament, senior officials from the UK Government, Heads of Diplomatic Missions in the UK and representatives from the Indian community, business groups and media.