NEW YORK (TIP): Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations for more than four years, Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri has been appointed Ambassador to Belgium. Puri who belongs to the 1982 batch of the Indian Foreign Service will also hold the position of Indian Ambassador to the Council of the European Union and The European Commission.

Hordes of friends and colleagues attended his farewell party hosted by the PMI on December 12. Diplomats of various ranking and countries toasted to his successful innings and wished him an even brighter success. Speaking of his departure from PMI, Ambassador Asoke Mukerjee said, “His absence at the PMI will be a loss for us. He has been a pillar of strength and support for India at the UN. Having said that, I am extremely happy that he is going as the Indian Ambassador to the European Union in Brussels. We are also happy that Ambassador Bishnoi will take his place as DPR now. With his experience and understanding of the UN, I am confident he will fill the gap more than we can expect”.

Hardeep Singh Puri, the former Permanent Representative of India to the UN added, “Manjeev is leaving New York after what can only be described as an outstanding contribution during an eventful period. He was a part of us when we prepared for elections at the Security Council. He was a pillar of strength when we were on the Security Council. I wish him all the very best and I’m sure he will do an equally brilliant job at Brussels”. “Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri has done India proud. It surely is a loss for us. But Brussels will gain immensely from a bilateral Ambassador like Mr. Puri,” said Manhattan attorney Ravi Batra. Ambassador Usmain Sarki, Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria also wished the departing Ambassador the very best. “Manjeev is a wonderful, friend, a colleague, a brother. We have worked very closely together. Above all, he was an excellent diplomat for India. So we will miss him very much.” Ambassador Puri replaces Ambassador Dinkar Khullar at India’s Mission in the European Union.