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A tribute to High Commissioner Gopal Baglay
View(s):By Vinod K Jacob
Mr. Gopal Baglay is the most successful and consequential Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The pith and substance of India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations underwent a transformational change during his tenure from May 2020 to December 2023. High Commissioner Baglay translated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Neighbourhood First policy into action and ensured that the two neighbours worked with a sense of purpose towards a shared vision and common action in the fight against Covid 19 pandemic, handling humanitarian crises and the economic turbulence in Sri Lanka. While doing so, Mr. Baglay brought the best out of his team at the High Commission and his partners and friends on the Sri Lankan side.
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry presenting a gift to outgoing Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay at the farewell lunch hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (Pic courtesy Indian High Commission)
High Commissioner Baglay arrived in style in Colombo in May 2020 on board a special aircraft which carried humanitarian and medical supplies. He presented credentials virtually–a first in the history of Sri Lanka. His remarkable personal and professional traits were evident from day one.
There are too many high points of India-Sri Lanka relations that define his stint. But let me mention just a few. The swift finalisation of the economic and humanitarian support package of nearly US$ 4 billion is of particular relevance. Flowing from this, the speed with which the financing assurances from the Indian side and the Indian participation in the official creditors committee were concluded will be etched in history as exemplary developments in diplomatic ties.
Another highlight was the conclusion of the Trincomalee Tank Farms Agreement which set aside a long-standing irritant in bilateral relations. High Commissioner Baglay also personally curated many innovative development cooperation projects that pertain to Buddhism, the welfare of the Indian Origin Tamils and the building of new infrastructure development and connectivity projects.
High Commissioner Baglay gave speeches in Sinhalese, Tamil, Sanskrit, Hindi and English throughout his tenure. He displayed empathy and patience in his dealings with the Sri Lankan people and the Indian community. He remained immensely popular across all sections of the Sri Lankan people. I truly cherish the time I spent as his deputy from May 2020 to July 2023.
As he packs his bags for a new stint, I join all my Sri Lankan friends, colleagues at the Indian High Commission and the friendly Indian community in Sri Lanka all the very best.
(The writer is India’s Ambassador to Bahrain)
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