“In the time I have been here we have had some tremendous achievements," Harinder Sidhu said in a video posted on Twitter.
"We have delivered the India Economic Strategy, we have established a new consulate general in Kolkata, and we had a six-month-long cultural festival Australia fest which engaged everybody. So I have many professional achievements to be proud of.”
Ms Sidhu, who has over 30 years’ experience in Australian government, took over as the High Commissioner to India in February 2016.
Highlights:
- Harinder Sidhu was appointed Australia’s High Commissioner to India in February 2016.
- She holds degrees in Economics and Law from the University of Sydney.
- She was born in Singapore to Indian-origin parents.
Before her appointment to India, she served as head of the Department’s Multilateral Policy Division with responsibility for Australia’s relationships with the UN and UN agencies, the UN Security Council and the Commonwealth.
Ms Sidhu says Indian diaspora in Australia forms a glue between the two nations.
“We have engaged in so many ways the Indian diaspora in Australia really forms the glue between us. It is a group of people who live, work, study and contribute to Australian society every day. It’s what is continuing to drive and create momentum that sustains our relationship,” she said in her farewell message.
Harinder Sidhu says she is proud of her Indian heritage and during her tenure in India she visited Punjab to connect with extended family. She says these memories are special and she will cherish them forever.
“I also have some great personal memories to take home most of which involved connecting with my background and heritage in Punjab. I had the great joy and pleasure of visiting the village where my father was born in Punjab and connecting with extended family. That’s given me a whole other picture of India of my relationship to India. It’s been very special with me and something I will have with forever,” she said.
'Bollywood addict'
Meeting Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan was a highlight.
“My best and favourite memory is meeting my hero Shah Rukh Khan. I am a lifelong Bollywood addict, as you know. And that is something as well will be a treasured memory in my life,” said Ms Sidhu before wishing the two countries a great future together.
Many from the Indian community in Australia have wished Ms Sidhu luck for the future.
General Manager of Newland Global Group, Natasha Jah Bhaskar says Harinder Sidhu’s tenure saw Australia-India relations achieving new heights.
Her tenure saw “Australia India relations achieving new heights, saw relationship potential for creative diplomacy, strategic engagement, economic cooperation and setting a strong ground for new milestones,” Ms Bhaskar said in a tweet.
Founder and CEO of MultiConnexions Group Sheba Nandkeolyar says Ms Sidhu’s “positivity and connectivity at all levels helped transform a bilateral relationship from an ordinary to extraordinary.”
Ms Sidhu has previously served at Australian Embassies in Damascus and Moscow.
