Anusha David spotlights the hottest styles and statements in and around Sri Lanka – from political leaders to celebrity CEOs, masters of the game to fashion icons and stars of the silver screen and stage. Here are society’s leaders talking about the determination, vision, smarts, competence and professionalism. Today, she speaks to Indian High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha.

Mr. Y.K. Sinha is a seasoned diplomat and during his career of 32 years, has handled several important assignments at the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi and in Indian diplomatic missions in the Middle East, Europe, South America and the Permanent Mission of India at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Before coming to Sri Lanka, he was Additional Secretary in the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division at the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

He was Ambassador of India to Venezuela from January 2007 to August 2009 and Consul General of India in Dubai from August 2003 to December 2006. Earlier, he served as Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi (UAE) from March 2002 to July 2003.

Mr. Y.K. Sinha was born on October 4, 1958. After post-graduation in History from Delhi University, he joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1981. He was member of the Secretariat of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, held in New Delhi in 1982 and CHOGM Summit held in 1983. He studied Arabic language at the American University, Cairo from 1983 to 1985.

He is married to Girija, and they have two sons Ambuj and Vinayak, as well as two dogs Sammy and Sting.

India-Sri Lanka relations appear to be on a firmer footing now, since the Maithripala Sirisena - Ranil Wickremesinghe government came into existence in January. Could you give us your perspective on this and provide us the contours of this relationship as of now?

Relations between India and Sri Lanka pre-date recorded history and have always been very close. The election of President Maithripala Sirisena and the assumption of power of a new government in Sri Lanka earlier this year was a manifestation of a desire for change, good governance and unity. A new government also assumed power in India last year. The close cooperation between the two countries is apparent as there have been four high level visits since January – the visit of Hon’ble Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka to India in January; the state visit of H.E. President Maithripala Sirisena to India in February; the visit of the Indian External Affairs Minister to Sri Lanka in early March; and the historic visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka last month. These visits have imparted a fresh trajectory to bilateral relations and I am sanguine that the future holds great promise.

What are the changes which have occurred in India-Sri Lanka relations in the economic sphere? And what changes are likely to occur in this sphere?

Economic and commercial relations between India and Sri Lanka are strong, vibrant and robust. While India continues to be Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner globally, Sri Lanka is one of India’s largest trading partners in South Asia. Bilateral trade in 2014 was to the tune of US$ 5 billion with both countries having benefited from one of the earliest Free Trade Agreements signed by either country. Sri Lankan exports to India have grown 16 times since the FTA came into effect. Indian investments in Sri Lanka since then have touched US$ 1 billion and a further US$ 1 billion worth of investments are in the pipeline. Greater economic cooperation and integration would be mutually beneficial and would help Sri Lanka in availing of the vast opportunities offered by an exponentially expanding Indian economy. Both countries need to grasp the opportunity to take their economic engagement to the next level.

Although the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has led to a significant increase in Sri Lanka’s exports to India, Sri Lankan exporters say that they come up against many obstacles in exporting to India, such as the State levies, countervailing duties, port [the references to 'port' is to port restrictions. Lankan goods can only be landed in specified ports in India ], hassles with the Indian customs, and quantity restrictions. These have been long standing complaints but they are still to be addressed. What steps would India take to remedy the situation so that there is more balance in bilateral trade?

In his address to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered to address concerns voiced by the Sri Lankan business community on perceived Non-Tariff Barriers and other issues that hinder greater engagement. Our Commerce Secretaries met in Colombo before Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka and have resolved to address these issues in a systematic manner. The Customs Cooperation Agreement signed between the two countries during the Prime Minister’s visit would also help in overcoming some of these obstacles. In addition, India has reiterated its earlier offer to help expand the manufacturing base in Sri Lanka so that it can export more not only to India and thereby address the trade imbalance to some extent, but also to third countries.

Sri Lankan businessmen and professionals have expressed serious reservations about signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership  Agreement (CEPA) with India. But despite the known fears, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged Sri Lankan businessmen to ‘boldly’  enter into a CEPA with India. Has the Sri Lankan government taken any step to re-start talks on this following Mr. Modi’s plea? Is India willing to address some of the issues raised by the Sri Lankan side?

As I mentioned earlier, India is keen to address any outstanding issues that the business community in Sri Lanka may have regarding enhancing our commercial and economic partnership. We have a vested interest in Sri Lanka’s economic progress as we regard Sri Lanka as an important partner in the region. Both sides should try harnessing synergies and complementarities in the relationship and take it to the next level by including the investment and services sectors. Our Prime Minister had assured the Sri Lankan business community that we will try and make it easier and smoother for them to access the Indian market, which is in tune with his philosophy of creating an enabling environment for doing business in India. He called for a greater belief in our own strengths, more trust in each other and more confidence in the fruits of our partnership. While we are not bound by nomenclature, it is imperative that this special economic partnership is enhanced to take advantage of the rapid strides being made in India and Sri Lanka. We have conveyed that we are ready to work with our partners in Sri Lanka at a pace they are comfortable with.

How does India see China’s role in the economy of Sri Lanka? Is China seen as an economic threat to India?  Is China’s influence likely to wane with the change of government in Colombo?

Sri Lanka’s relations with other countries stand on their own and I would not like to comment on Sri Lanka’s relations with any other country. However, the Government of Sri Lanka is mindful of our concerns. There is general appreciation that the Indian Ocean unites rather than divides us. The vast ocean economy opens up vistas of cooperation that would benefit both our countries and the region.

India is very much involved in the settlement of political issues in Sri Lanka having intervened to settle the Tamil question in the 1980s. What are India’s expectations from the new regime in Colombo in this respect? What are the challenges and constraints before India in this regard and what are its expectations realistically speaking?

At the outset, let me stress that for India, the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka are paramount. We are hopeful that the commendable steps taken by the new government in Sri Lanka would represent a new beginning. India fully supports Sri Lanka’s efforts to build a future that accommodates aspirations of all sections of society, including the Sri Lankan Tamil community, for a life of equality, justice, peace and dignity in a united Sri Lanka.

Mahinda Rajapaksa and his supporters have accused Indian intelligence agencies of having a hand in his defeat in the Presidential election. Rajapaksa is now trying hard to stage a comeback through the coming parliamentary elections. What is India’s perspective on this, and how does it hope to cope with a situation in which Rajapaksa becomes a key factor in Sri Lankan politics? If the 19th Amendment is passed, the President will have to share power with a Prime Minister who may well be Rajapaksa!

Such allegations are completely baseless and, in fact, do not deserve a response. The people of Sri Lanka made a choice and nothing can detract from this fact. On our part we have congratulated the people of this country on the peaceful conduct of elections, which is a tribute to the long-standing democratic traditions of Sri Lanka. As regards the anticipated parliamentary elections, it is for the people of Sri Lanka, as a vibrant democracy, to choose their leaders.

Of all the different countries you have been posted to ,which one did you enjoy most?

That’s always a very difficult question to answer, as every country has had something special, whether it was New York, or Rome, or Dubai; but of all the countries I have been in, Sri Lanka is the place I have enjoyed most.

What led you to select the diplomatic service as a career?

When I was young I wanted to join the army, but later on when I was in school and later on in university, I got exposed to what diplomatic life was all about as a result of reading and also I was interested in international relations; so pretty early on I decided I wanted to join the diplomatic service.

What do you regret the most in your career to date?

What I really regret is not being able to spend enough time with my family.

India has changed drastically in the last decade – would you say this is for the better or worse?

I am the eternal optimist. India has changed for the better. It has progressed remarkably during the 60 + years since independence. Progress is always a good thing and India has progressed, especially economically and I think it is a sign of confidence and resilience of both India and its people that India is now amongst the leading economic powers of the world.

Who are three people in history you admire most and why?

For me because I am a student of history it would be Gautama Buddha, Emperor Ashoka and Mahatma Gandhi and the reasons are obvious.

How does your wife Girija inspire you?

Well she has been my soulmate for many many years and she has been able to take care of things that I have been unable to focus on. Whether at home bringing up the children, or helping me in my diplomatic assignments, because as you know a spouse plays a huge role in a diplomat's career.

What’s the happiest or proudest moment in your life?

There have been quite a few but the happiest moments were the birth of our sons, and the proudest perhaps would be getting into the Indian foreign service in my very first attempt.

What’s the best compliment you ever received?

I think this would be that ‘he’s a man of integrity’.

If a young person asked your advice for living a good life, what would you say?

I think hard work and perseverance are essential. Focus on your goals and then achieve it through hard work and perseverance.

What advice did your parents give you that you best remember?

There is no shortcut to success.

What is your goal as a parent?

To provide for my children, make sure they get the best possible education and help them to achieve their goals.

What’s your most cherished family tradition?

Getting together during festivals such as Holi and Diwali.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

An army officer.

Who were your heroes or role models when you were a child?

I had quite a few, but if I had to name just one person it would be my father.

What do you think has stayed the same about you throughout life?

I have always kept my feet firmly on the ground.

How do you like to relax?

I love listening to music, watching television, reading and playing games, whether it's tennis, golf, or cricket.

What are your hobbies and special interests?

Hobbies of course, it's sports which has been a passion with me since childhood . Reading is certainly one, and travelling. In my job we are like gypsies forever moving, but I love travelling and seeing new places.

Which single book has greatly influenced you, and why?

That’s a difficult question to answer as there are many books that have influenced me, the Bhagvat Gita, Kautilya’s ‘Artha Shasthra ’, El Principe by Machiavelli; but it would be a book I read when I was very young, ‘The Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding which made an impression on me and the reason why it influenced me was that it portrayed various attributes of the human being; the nasty, the brutish, the angelic, the selfless, etc and for this reason it had a lasting impact on me.

Do you have any pets – are you a cat or dog person?

I was not a dog person till I met Girija and then I became a dog person.

Would you like to see more Indian investment in Sri Lanka?

Absolutely. I think there is great scope for enhancing investments from India to Sri Lanka. Since 2003 investments from India to Sri Lanka have totalled over a billion dollars and there’s more investments totalling over a billion dollars in the pipeline so I think its important because we have complementarities, synergies, and most importantly we are neighbours and I think the closer the economic integration between out two countries, it would lead to a win win situation.

We had a visit from an Indian Head of State after 27 long years, Mr Modi’s recent visit. Would you like to comment on its significance?

Well it was the first bilateral stand alone visit by a Prime Minister of India after 27 years. We have had visits of Indian Prime Ministers but it has been for conferences, etc, so I think the visit of Prime Minister Modi was exceptionally significant. Also his visit highlighted the very ancient ties that bind our people together and how that is a strong foundation for our modern day relationship to be built on.

Do you have a message for the people of Sri Lanka?

Well I think my message for the people of Sri Lanka is that you should never forget that the people of India and Sri Lanka are bound by millennial bonds and these ties have been assiduously cultivated and nurtured by successive generations and it is our task to further strengthen these umbilical links, these links that can never really be broken and despite the ups and downs which are natural in any relationship, our ties - India’s and Sri Lanka’s ties are unique and will always remain so.

A chat with Mrs. Sinha

As the wife of a diplomat – often perceived to be a glamorous and much envied role, what are the pros and cons you encounter?

I met my husband when I was 16, it was a love marriage and we got married 5 years later. Our first posting was to Cairo. I had to mop the floors, wash clothes by hand, cook the food, so I was in for  a bit of a rude shock !! I must say that when we start out, as youngsters, life is pretty hard. It's only later on in life that you encounter the glamorous part. Scrubbing, cooking, cleaning, bringing up the kids – not easy, especially when you’re abroad and you don’t have help. As you go up the ladder of course things get easier.

Are you ever able to ‘let your hair down’?

See I have grown up like that. It’s not an issue for me to let my hair down. I can do it within the framework of being the ‘diplomat’s wife ’! I have this wonderful ability to enjoy myself and make the most of any opportunity. I love people, I am a people’s person and I am very happy amongst people and can always manage to have a good time.

Mrs. Sinha, women’s rights are somewhat of a myth in our part of the world especially in rural areas. As a forward thinking woman, irrespective of your husband’s role in government, what do you think should be done to ensure that 1. the girl child is protected, 2. that abuse against women is prevented and 3. that men are prevailed upon to respect women.

In our ancient scriptures women occupied a very important place in society. Most rituals require the presence of the wife along with her husband. Over the years the status of women has steadily eroded. It is imperative that the status of women is enhanced for a society to progress. The prejudice against the girl child needs to be eradicated from the society and the girl child protected. Abuse of women should never be tolerated and stringent and deterrent punishment should be meted out to those who commit heinous crimes against women. Most importantly, proper education needs to be imparted to all sections of society emphasizing the need to respect women and to stand up for women’s rights. Coeducational schools might be another way to get children of both sexes to be comfortable with each other from early childhood.

Interviewed by Anusha David