In a symbolic start to his ambassadorship, Vikram Doraiswami honored Mahatma Gandhi at Beijing’s Jintai Art Museum on Monday, moments before officially assuming duties as India’s envoy to China.
The embassy’s X post captured the event: Doraiswami offered floral respects to the Father of the Nation, joined by curator Yuan Jikun. He followed this with a tribute to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at the mission premises.
Touching down in Beijing Sunday, Doraiswami received a hearty reception from embassy staff and Chinese officials. Charge d’Affaires Angelin Premlata and Deputy Director Li Jianbo from China’s Asia desk extended greetings.
His formal appointment came via credentials from President Droupadi Murmu on April 30. China had preemptively welcomed him in March, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian pledging full cooperation during a press meet.
‘We anticipate Ambassador Doraiswami will significantly bolster China-India friendship,’ Lin Jian affirmed, highlighting diplomats’ role as cooperation bridges.
A seasoned diplomat, Doraiswami served as High Commissioner in London from August 2022 and earlier in Dhaka. Multilingual in Chinese, French, and Korean, his early career included a four-year stint at Beijing’s Indian Embassy from 1996.
Post-training in Delhi, his first overseas posting was Hong Kong in 1994, where he honed Chinese skills at a specialized language school. This background positions him uniquely for navigating Sino-Indian dynamics.
Doraiswami’s Gandhi tribute evokes the non-violent ethos that once inspired global leaders, including in China. As trade volumes soar and strategic dialogues resume, his expertise could prove pivotal in mending fences and expanding horizons. The international community watches closely for signs of renewed momentum in this critical relationship.
