By Ashok Kumar
Sydney: Mr. Peter Varghese is to be Australia’s next High Commissioner to India, with concurrent accreditation to Bhutan. He succeeds Mr.. John McCarthy AO, who has served with distinction as High Commissioner since 2004. Mr.. Varghese is expected to take up his appointment in August 2009.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Stephen Smith told a Press conference, “I’m announcing today the appointment of Peter Varghese as our High Commissioner to India. And High Commissioner Varghese will commence his duties in August, replacing High Commissioner McCarthy who has been a very successful High Commissioner to India, and a very successful career diplomat for Australia. We complement High Commissioner McCarthy on his good work.”
High Commissioner Varghese will be a very good High Commissioner for what is a very important relationship, he said.
The Government wants to take our relationship with India to the front rank of our bilateral relationships, and we look forward to High Commissioner Varghese pursuing good work in India on Australia’s behalf, Mr.. Smith told media.
To a question how delicate and how much is Australia’s relationship with India been damaged by recent attacks on Indian students …Mr.. Smith said, “We are taking the attacks on Indian students very, very seriously. The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister as Minister for Education and I have all condemned them absolutely. We are working very closely with the relevant state governments and also very closely with the Indian community, both in Australia and working very closely with the Indian Government through our High Commissioner, High Commissioner McCarthy, in India.
The high level task force which I announced last week met for the second time on Friday, chaired by the National Security Adviser, and that involved participants from all of the states.
I’ve spoken to Victorian Premier Brumby. And on Thursday-Friday of last week, my office had close contact with New South Wales Premier Rees’s office.
So we’re working very closely. We’re taking it very, very seriously and we condemn all of the terrible incidents which have occurred.
I note that there are reports over the weekend or overnight of further attacks. Can I say that the advice I have is that some of these suggested attacks have not been reported to police, and it is very important, where people have information or evidence or are the victims of attacks, that these are reported to the police. That’s a very, very important part of the process.
I’ve spoken to my new Indian counterpart a week or so ago, External Affairs Minister Krishna. We are taking this very seriously and I think the Indian Government understands this. We’ll continue to work closely with them.”
He said Australia’s engagement with India is expanding rapidly in recognition of India’s growing economic and strategic importance and influence. Australia is committed to taking its relationship with India to the front rank of Australia’s bilateral partnerships
Mr. Varghese, reportedly of Indian origin, is currently Director-General of the Office of National Assessments. Prior to taking up this appointment he was the Senior Adviser (International) to the Prime Minister. From 2002 until July 2003, Mr. Varghese was a Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
From 2000 until 2002 Mr. Varghese was Australia’s High Commissioner to Malaysia. He has also served in Australian missions in Vienna (1980-83), Washington (1986-88) and Tokyo (1994).
Mr. Varghese served as First Assistant Secretary of the International Security Division in 1997 before being seconded in February 1998, to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as First Assistant Secretary of the International Division.
His other positions in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have included Assistant Secretary, Staffing (1991-92), First Assistant Secretary, Public Affairs Division (1994-96) and Head of the White Paper Secretariat (1996-97).
Mr. Varghese is a graduate in history from the University of Queensland and is married with one adult son.
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