Press Release on Amb presenting a copy of his credentials
01/07/2014

1. AmbassadorAshok K Kantha presented a copy of his credentials to H.E. Mr. Zhang Kunsheng, Assistant Foreign Minister in the afternoon of Monday, 6th January 2014 in Beijing.

2. During the meeting, Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang welcomed Ambassador Kantha to Beijing and expressed the hope that the latter would have a successful tenure. Ambassador Kantha thanked Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang for the courtesies extended by the Chinese Ministry of foreign Affairs. He expressed his determination to work withthe Chinese Government to maintain the present momentum in the relationship andenhance it in all areas, in keeping with the understandings reached between the leaders. In this context, the Assistant Foreign Minister and Ambassador noted the importance of ensuring the success ofthe Year of Friendly Exchanges in 2014.

3. Ambassador Kantha has many years of experience on India-China relations and is also a Mandarin speaker. During the period 2003-2007, as the Head ofthe East Asia Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, he played a significant role in shaping India’s relations with the countries of the region, including China. Earlier, he served asthe Consul General of India to Hong Kong and Macau from 2000 to 2003.

4. Before coming to Beijing, Ambassador Kantha served as Secretary (Vice Minister) to the Government of India at the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi till January 2014. He had a long stint as the High Commissionerof India in Sri Lanka from November 2009 to May 2013. Before going to Sri Lanka, he was India’s High Commissioner to Malaysia from April 2007 to November 2009.

5. Earlier on Sunday, 5th January2014, Mr. Kantha, arrived in Beijing to take charge as Ambassador of India to the People’s Republic of China.