Focus on envoys to B’desh, Taiwan as India seeks to boost relations

nNEWDELHI:AS a string of ambassadorial appointments were finalised this month, attention was focused on the new envoys to Bangladesh and Taiwan, two countries with which India is keen to boost relations in the postpandemic situation.

Gourangalal Das, the former joint secretary (Americas) in the external affairs ministry who played a key role in arrangements for US President Donald Trump’s visit to the country this year, has already left for Taipei to take over as the representative in-charge of the India Taipei Association.

Vikram Doraiswami, the additional secretary in-charge of international organisations and summits at the ministry and the former head of the Indo-pacific, will head to the Bangladesh capital Dhaka as the new envoy, people familiar with developments said.

The two appointments signal the importance attached by the external affairs ministry to relations with both Bangladesh and Taiwan, they said.

There is a concerted effort to counter China’s attempts to woo Bangladesh, while experts have called for India to upgrade its relations with Taiwan at a time when both countries are dealing with the fallout of tensions with China.

Taiwan established the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in New Delhi in 1995 as its representative office while India set up the India Taipei Association to promote ties.

Das has done two stints in the Indian embassy in Beijing. Doraiswami will head to Bangladesh at a time when India is looking to boost bilateral cooperation by enhancing connectivity between the two sides.

DAS HAS ALREADY LEFT FOR TAIPEI, DORAISWAMI IS TO HEAD TO BANGLADESH SOON