The Queen praised FCO staff for their work in responding to the pandemic (File)
New Delhi:
An Indian consular officer briefed Queen Elizabeth II on the UK’s close collaboration with India during the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday.
Sanjibita Tariang, who works at the British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, recounted his experience helping stranded British travelers return home during India’s lockdown, according to a statement from the British High Commission.
She described how the “UK in India” team responded to the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID 19, through collaboration between India and London, and with exceptional cooperation from Indian authorities.
The UK repatriated nearly 18,000 travelers from India on 66 charter flights from 11 Indian cities between April and June.
The engagement took place during a virtual unveiling of a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth. The work, painted by artist Miriam Escofet, will be on display in the renovated reception area of the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The Queen praised FCO staff for their work in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the engagement, the Queen spoke to staff who worked on the repatriation effort and also heard about the work the UK government is doing internationally to develop a vaccine.
Recounting his experience, Tariang said, “Organizing the repatriation flights was a huge and complex operation involving careful planning and coordination. We also had to obtain movement clearances during a nationwide lockdown – the main challenge was to arrange transportation from remote places like Meghalaya and Manipur for a 32 hour trip, ”she said.
“I used my local networks and my knowledge of Hindi, Assamese, Bengali and Nepalese to organize a safe trip for some of Britain’s most vulnerable and older nationals. For example: organize a bus from Shillong to Kolkata; enlist the help of police officers to help passengers cross borders, and get hotels to open their restaurants for dinner and prepare breakfast for long trips – all so passengers can take their flight on time, ”she added.
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