Next High Commissioner of India to NZ

Ministry of External Affairs: Press Briefings

On the appointment of next High Commissioner of India to New Zealand

19/04/2006

Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon. Essentially, just an announcement from my side that Shri K.P. Ernest who belongs to the 1975 batch of the Indian Foreign Service and is currently Additional Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, is appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to New Zealand in succession to Shri Harish Kumar Dogra. He is expected to take up his assignment shortly.

Question: What happens to Mr. Dogra?
Official Spokesperson: Well, if you would like me to recall, Shri Dogra was recalled to Headquarters on March 1 in terms of the relevant service rules. He had himself indicated that he would be coming back to India in the first week of April and thereafter he said that he would be returning to India on April 15. He has, however, failed to adhere to his own schedule and has continued to stay in New Zealand despite the recall order.

Question: Are you planning to initiate… (Inaudible)
Official Spokesperson: Well, the present position is that the Government of India has been obliged to withdraw his accreditation as India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand with effect from yesterday i.e. April 18 and this is a decision which has been conveyed to the New Zealand High Commissioner here in New Delhi as well as to the Foreign Office in Wellington.

Question: Mr. Dogra, whatever he might be saying, can you tell us what are the charges against him?
Official Spokesperson: I am afraid I cannot get into the charges and countercharges. A decision has been taken to recall him in compliance with the IFS (PLCA) Rules, which are the governing service rules. IFS (Pay, Leave and Compensatory Allowances)Rules.

Question: Mr. Nanda, who was sent to New Zealand, did he meet anybody in New Zealand…
Official Spokesperson: He went there to assess the situation. He must have had meetings there but, the fact of the withdrawal of Mr. Dogra as our High Commissioner has been conveyed to the New Zealand High Commissioner here as well as in Wellington.

Question: Anything on Nepal?
Official Spokesperson: On Nepal, I have no news. I have tried to be in touch with Kathmandu. Foreign Secretary is just about reaching there. If there is something we will update you.

Thank You.

ENDS

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