Manmohan Singh, Vohra pay rich tributes to 'Sati' Lambah

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New Delhi, July 2

Condolences poured in on Saturday over the demise of Satinder Kumar Lambah, 81, with former PM Manmohan Singh hailing the veteran diplomat as “one of the most outstanding members of the Indian Foreign Service.”

Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra remembered Lambah as “one of the most astute and successful” diplomats in the past decades. “He secured outcomes in the most difficult circumstances,” he said. Lambah passed away on Thursday after a prolonged illness.

In a condolence message to late diplomat’s wife Nina Lambah, Manmohan Singh wrote, “I have learnt with profound sorrow of the sad demise of your beloved husband Satinder Kumar Lambah. He was one of the most outstanding members of the Indian Foreign Service. He gave utmost devotion to the normalising of Indo-Pak ties.”

Recalling Lambah’s contributions, the former PM added, “Throughout his career as a diplomat both before and after retirement from government, Satinder K Lambah carried a legacy of special relationships with each country he served in. I and my wife write to convey to you and other members of your family our deepest condolences on this sad occasion. May God give all of you the strength to bear this great loss with courage and fortitude.”

Vohra, remembering his association with Lambah, said, “In the passing away of SK Lambah, Sati as I knew him, we have lost one of the most astute and successful diplomats in the past decades. We worked closely together for long years, when I was in the Defence and Home Ministries and, later when I had an extended involvement with Jammu and Kashmir, and he, while in service, was dealing with Pakistan in various responsible positions and, after retirement, as the Prime Minister’s Emissary for fostering understandings with our neighbour. At that time both of us were working directly under PM Manmohan Singh.”

The former J&K Governor added, “A born diplomat, SK Lambah secured outcomes in the most difficult circumstances. I pray God gives strength to Nina to bear this irreparable loss.” Lambah, who helped shape relations with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Russia, continued to advance India’s foreign policy interests for well over a decade after retirement in 2001.

For a diplomat who never became Foreign Secretary, Lambah’s imprint on the Indian foreign policy was larger than that of many who made it to the top post. Soft-spoken and suave, his skills were put to test in nearly negotiating a consensus on Kashmir as then PM Manmohan Singh’s Special Envoy to Pakistan from 2005 to 2014. While that initiative later fell victim to the hawks, cross-border trade and bus services began under his watch as Special Envoy.

Outstanding officer

He was one of the most outstanding members of the Indian Foreign Service. He gave utmost devotion to the normalising of Indo-Pak ties. Manmohan Singh, former PM

A born diplomat

A born diplomat, SK Lambah secured outcomes in the most difficult circumstances. NN Vohra, former J&K Governor