Diplomats flag concern over smog

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 17

In a diplomatic embarrassment for the government, the Dean of Diplomatic Corps in Delhi today made a formal representation to share concerns about Delhi’s air crisis.

Ambassador Frank HD Castellanos met Sanjay Verma, Joint Secretary (Protocol) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and discussed how Delhi’s air pollution was also impacting tourism and diplomatic staff of missions in the city. In a statement, Ambassador Castellanos said, “We completely understand that the issue needs to be addressed for the better future of all people that live in this city, and not only for the diplomatic community. We all breathe the same air.”

Sanjay Verma took note of concerns of diplomats and their families on the current environmental conditions in the city. The MEA has assured the diplomatic community of dealing with the issue, including “learning best practices emerging from countries that have traversed this experience”.

Quoting the MEA official, the Dean’s statement said, “The unusual deterioration in the quality of air is a product of multiple causes, most of which are indeed domestic, but have also been aggravated by a dust storm from a distant geography. The simultaneous aggregation of these cases has led to an environmental challenge, which the Government of India is determined to address and ameliorate.” Over the last week, voices of concern have grown in the diplomatic community with some embassies and high commissions reporting increased respiratory problems and health issues among staff members.

Two diplomats from ASEAN member countries have wrapped up their Delhi postings ahead of time while others advanced their year-end vacations. Thailand’s Ambassador Chutintorn Gongsakdi informed media that he had written to his foreign ministry headquarters to explore the possibility of declaring India a “hardship posting”. He tweeted: “Hardship/special situation classification for Delhi means that we can access better staff welfare measures, such as air purifiers, medical check-ups, trips back home and additional days off for morale and as compensation”. Costa Rican envoy Mariela Cruz Alvarez, who was hospitalised following respiratory ailments, also expressed deep concerns in a blog that went viral this week.

The Diplomatic Corps is also expected to take up the issue formally with Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. “As the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in India, I thanked the Chief of Protocol for his time and effort in addressing the issue, and we both hope the outcome of efforts of both central and local government will bring positive results, not only for the diplomats living in India but also for every citizen, children and adult that live in this very active, energetic and busy city,” read Ambassador Castellanos’ statement.