Harpal Singh Bedi
New Delhi, 7 November: Veteran diplomat Amit Dasgupta has been appointed as an Honorary Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM) Australia’s acting high commissioner in India Ms. Sarah Storey hosted Mr. Dasgupta’s Investiture ceremony and lauded him for his longstanding contribution to bilateral relations between the two countries.
His deep and long understanding service to the Australia-India bilateral relationship is commendable and worthy of formal recognition through this honour.
Before Dasgupta , other Indian citizens who have been bestowed with this honour include Soli Sorabjee and Sachin Tendulkar.
Dasgupta (69) Consul-General of India to Australia from 2009-2012,played a lead role in establishing the Australia India youth dialogue. Now in its second decade, the Dialogueis a permanent fixture of the bilateral relationship and fosters connection between the youth of the two countries.
He is a staunch advocate for the principles of multiculturalism, which underpins contemporary Australia During his tenure ,attacks against Indian students threatened Australia’s International reputation. His personal efforts helped in easing tensions and reassuring the Indian diaspora.
As a committed promoter of Australia-India relations ,Dasgupta challenges the governments and people to realize the underlying potential of stronger bilateral relationship.
A prolific writer, Dasgupta at present is a distinguished fellow of the Australia India institute, a senior fellow at the Society for Policy Studies, and as the Inaugural Country Director of the University of New South Wales since 2016.