The Congress party has ruled the north east India for long and it has created several stalwarts both from Assam and other tribal-dominated states.
Long before, the Modi Govt had deputed a full-time politician Dinesh Trivedi to be India's envoy in Bangladesh; the Congress dispensation in the 1970s had thought of appointing a few 'political stalwarts' to key capitals across the world.
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| Veteran Naga leader : S Chubatoshi Jamir |
It may be mentioned here that Australia-India relations in the 1970s were largely cool and marked by strategic divergence during the Cold War. Australia has in the seventies traditionally supported India's position on Arunachal Pradesh, which was subject to diplomatic disputes between India and China.
Around the same time, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the then president V V Giri had planned for a northeastern Indian leader to be High Commissioner to Australia.
Congress sources say apparently, President V V Giri had invited Naga leader S C Jamir and offered him the post.
Understandably, a hardcore politician by heart and mind; Jamir was taken by surprise. He worked closely with Jawaharlal Nehru in the foreign ministry but that was more as as 'learner' and as parliamentary secretary.
Reportedly, he was glad enough and started thanking President V V Giri instantly; but suddenly Jamir "surprised" Giri and told him - "Sir, I will need to talk to my wife about it and personally too, I have to think about it more minutely".
Giri agreed. But in their Delhi quarters; that evening Jamir had detailed discussion with his wife on the matter. "Should I take it .. it's a rare thing to happen in life. But family life ... I am not sure; you have to move with me; and our children and our people back home".
A politician every inch; Jamir was probably stressed out and had some confusion about politics in Nagaland - the unresolved insurgency issue and the villagers' struggles at home.
His wife initially gave a patient hearing and then said - "It has to be your decision. But I know you", Congress sources say.
Both Jamir and his wife Imkonglemla agreed during the discussions that "to remain active in politics Jamir would have to go back to Nagaland and live with the people".
The following day Jamir accompanied his lady wife called on the President to convey their decision.
V V Giri was a bit taken aback but said he would respect the decision of the individual and his family.
In the meantime, sources say there are a few key Naga figures in the diplomatic service in India.
Lately, Aliawati Longkumer, who served in Doha, Frankfurt, Guatemala City, and as Chargé d'Affaires in Paraguay was sent to North Korea as the ambassador.
Mijito Vinito, a diplomat from Nagaland, served as the First Secretary at India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and notably represented India at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
He gained prominent public attention for walking out of a UNGA high-level meeting in September 2020 while exercising India's right of reply to reject statements made regarding Jammu and Kashmir.
R. Masakui, also from Nagaland, has served as India's Consul General in Vancouver, Canada.
Cherakung Zeliang (IFS) has served in various roles such as Counselor at the Embassy of India in Madrid, Spain.
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