India’s High Commissioner in New Zealand, Her Excellency Ms Neeta Bhushan, is a career diplomat having served in Japan, Bangladesh, Germany and UAE (as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Abu Dhabi). Before taking up her assignment in Wellington, her immediate past assignment was as Consul General of India in Chicago, USA, where she was in charge of ten states in the country’s mid-west region.
Ms. Bhushan joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1994 and has also served at the Ministry of External Affairs headquarters in New Delhi as Under Secretary / Desk Officer (Japan & Koreas); Director in the Development Partnership Administration and Joint Secretary (Parliament & Coordination). Between 2009 and 2013 she was on deputation to the Ministry of Finance as Director in the Department of Economic Affairs looking after bilateral relations with Europe.
She did a stint at National Defence College as Faculty from the Foreign Service. Since April 2020 she has been Joint Secretary / Additional Secretary looking after bilateral relations with 30 countries in Central Europe.
An alumnus of Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, she holds degrees in Economics (Honours) from Hindu College, Delhi University. She also has an M.Phil. Degree from Madras University. Her Research Thesis was on “WTO: Glorious Past, Turbulent Present and Uncertain Future”.
Indian Weekender Wellington correspondent Venu Menon interviewed Ms Bhushan earlier this week at the Indian High Commission’s Chancery in New Zealand’s capital.
Which of your previous Postings stand out in your memory, and why?
All my postings have been special, and I have fond memories from each of the previous assignments. However, my first posting in Tokyo stands out in my memory as it was a huge learning experience for me. This was a period of transition from being a student to becoming a diplomat. I learned that there is no greater honour than representing your country abroad. Learning the Japanese language helped me understand the people and their culture even better. I had a very enriching experience there.
I would like to ask you about your assignment here in New Zealand.
It is a great privilege to represent India in this beautiful and diverse country. The presence of a strong and vibrant Indian diaspora makes this assignment even more special. Our two countries already have warm and friendly relations. I am looking forward to working with all towards further strengthening our partnership in all areas.
Your predecessor Shri Muktesh Pardeshi, while inaugurating the High Commission library and the accompanying launch of Prof J L Shaw’s book on Indian philosophy in July, wanted the High Commission to host more academicians and writers. Will you take that ambition forward?
Yes, of course. It would be my endeavour to host more academicians, writers and cultural personalities. Our new chancery building has a big auditorium, and our efforts would be to fully utilise this facility for various events. I am open to your suggestions in this regard. I look forward to collaborating with various organisations as well.
During his recent visit to New Zealand in October, the Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar declared that he had been assured by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern that the plight of stranded Indian students affected by the border closure would be treated sympathetically. Has the High Commission followed up on the matter with the New Zealand Government?
Yes. We are following up on all the subjects that were discussed during the visit of our External Affairs Minister. This includes our request for sympathetic treatment of Indian students who were affected by the border closure during the covid period.
You addressed the INZBC Summit last week. Taking into account NZ’s small market and population size and the distance from India, what sectors you think the two countries need to jointly concentrate on to increase bilateral trade and investment.
As I said during the Summit, we need to work on mutually beneficial partnerships and collaborations between the two countries. Sectors such as Dairy, Agriculture including Agri tech, forestry as well as fintech have a lot of potential for enhanced trade and two-way investments. India is leapfrogging in the renewable energy sector and this sector also holds a lot of promise for collaborations.
In this regard, let me inform you that we are having a business event on 25th November in the HCI premises titled India unplugged, pathways to greater trade and investments between India and New Zealand. You can find more details on our Twitter handle and Facebook pages.
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Ms Neeta Bhushan with Indian Weekender's Venu Menon at the Indian High Commission
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