Meet the incoming Indian High Commissioner to Australia, H.E. Manpreet Vohra

By Raj Natarajan

New Indian High Commissioner took office in Canberra more than six months back. The Consul General of India in Sydney, H.E. Manish Gupta organized a reception to introduce the new High Commissioner to the Indian community. Invitees included Community and Business leaders, Religious leaders and representatives of the Indian Media in Sydney. Here are some facts and figures about the New High Commissioner as presented by the MC for the evening, Mr. Ramanand Garge, Director Vivekananda Cultural Centre:

Ambassador H.E. Manpreet Vohra arrived in Canberra on 25 April 2021 to assume his assignment as High Commissioner of India to Australia. He is career diplomat and joined Indian Foreign Service in 1988. Ambassador Vohra’s distinguished career spans across 3 decades. He was Ambassador of India to Mexico and High Commissioner to Belize (2019-21), Ambassador to Afghanistan (2016-18) and Ambassador to Peru and Bolivia (2011-15). Prior to these distinguished assignments he was Deputy High Commissioner of India in Pakistan. Also in Nairobi, he was deputy Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Environment Program. Prior to this, he served in various capacities at the Indian Missions in Hong Kong, China, Mongolia and United Kingdom.

At the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, Ambassador Vohra was Additional Secretary (Administration; Consular, Passport, Visas; and Counter-Terrorism) Joint Secretary (Development Partnership Administration-I) during 2015-16, and Deputy Secretary and Director (Disarmament & International Security Affairs) during 2000-02. From 2009 to 2011, he was Joint Secretary & Officer on Special Duty in the Project Office to set up the South Asian University in New Delhi.

Ambassador Vohra was born in the pious city of Amritsar. He has a BA in Economics and a Post-Graduate Diploma in International Trade from Punjab University located in beautiful Chandigarh city. He was a Chevening Scholar at Oxford University. He is a proud Burner and a sports enthusiast and loves playing Tennis. 

Consul General of India, H.E. Manish Gupta welcomed the High Commissioner to Sydney and mentioned that he has taken office in Canberra at an appropriate time when the relationship between India and Australia is growing to new heights.  H.E. Manish Gupta also appraised the High Commissioner of the achievements of the vibrant, forward looking and talented Indian Community in Sydney and H.E. Manish Gupta made a special mention of the recent announcement of an Indian Australian, Prof. Veena Sahajwalla of University of New South Wales as the NSW Australian of the year 2021.

High Commissioner H.E. Manpreet Vohra echoed Consul General’s view that India and Australia have never been better friends and the relations between the two countries is bound to grow to reach greater heights in the coming years. The High Commissioner said the recent QUAD leaders’ summit when the Prime Ministers of India, Japan and Australia and President of USA met to strengthen the defense and economic cooperation demonstrates the growing cooperation amongst some of the greatest democracies of the World.  At the same time, The High Commissioner emphasized the importance of the role of Indian Diaspora in Australia in creating the bridge between two peoples in order to further the trade, cultural, sporting and economic links between India and Australia.

The High Commissioner made a special mention about some recalcitrant fringe groups in the community who have been trying to spread the wrong message about India and the recent Indian Government initiatives in order to further their own self interests. He added that in a democratic set up, there is bound to be different opinions and views but The High Commissioner appealed to the Indian Australians to ignore these recalcitrant fringe groups and not give any importance to their activities and protests as their disruptive actions will not, in any way, deter the progress of the growth of relations between India and Australia.

The High Commissioner and the invitees were treated to beautiful classical dance performances by artists from the well known dance academies in Sydney.