(Image source from: Harinder Sidhu appointed Australia’s New High Commissioner to India})

Harinder Sidhu, Indian-Origin career diplomat, has been named as the Australia’s  High Commissioner to India, on Thursday. She is the second Indian-origin Australian high commissioner in India. Sidhu will replace Patrick Suckling.

Sidhu’s family hails from the Punjab state of India. She was born in Singapore, but in childhood, she migrated to Australia with her family.  After,  US and Canadian envoys, she will be the third Indian-origin envoy in India.

Sidhu said that, "India is one of the most exciting places for a diplomat to be at the moment. The economic prospects of India  are bright and it is becoming a more influential and active international player."

She added, "at a personal level, I have always been fascinated by the country of my heritage and am keen to learn more about India its language, culture and history while I am there.”

Sidhu is serving as a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She has been also worked as First Assistant Secretary of the Multilateral Policy Division. Previously, she also served overseas in Syria and Russia.

Julie Bishop, foreign affairs minister of Australia,  said, while announcing Sidhu, as the new High Commissioner to India, that, "India is one of Australia's closest and most significant partners in the Indo-Pacific region. It is our 10th largest trading partner and our two-way investment is worth over USD 20 billion.”

Nandini