Samar Sen (diplomat)
Indian diplomat (1914–2003)
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Samar Sen (10 August 1914 – 16 February 2003) was an Indian diplomat who served as the 1st permanent representative of India to the United Nations, Geneva, 8th in New York and the 2nd high commissioner of India to Bangladesh from June 1974 to November 1976.[10]
Samar Sen | |
|---|---|
| |
| 1st and 8th Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations | |
| In office January 1969 – June 1974[1] | |
| Preceded by | Gopalaswami Parthasarathy |
| Succeeded by | Rikhi Jaipal |
| In office 1946–1948 [2] | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | B. N. Rau |
| 2nd High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh | |
| In office June 1974 – November 1976[3] | |
| Preceded by | Subimal Dutt |
| Succeeded by | K. P. S. Menon |
| President of the United Nations Security Council | |
| In office 1972–1973[4] | |
| Preceded by | Jeanne Martin Cissé |
| Succeeded by | Chaidir Anwar Sani |
| Chairperson of the Group of 77 | |
| In office 1970–1971[5] | |
| 7th High Commissioner of India to Pakistan | |
| In office 1968–1969[6] | |
| Preceded by | Kewal Singh Choudhary |
| Succeeded by | B. K. Acharya |
| 7th High Commissioner of India to Australia | |
| In office 1960–1963[7] | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 August 1914 |
| Died | 16 February 2003 (aged 88) London, United Kingdom[8] |
| Spouse | Sheila Malhotra [9] |
| Children | Jupiter Sen, Julius Sen, Ariana Grimes, Sevaly Sen |
| Alma mater | University of Oxford |
Born in Dacca, British India (in modern-day Dhaka, Bangladesh),[11] Sen obtained his education from the University of Calcutta, the University of London, Oxford, and Lincoln's Inn. He was a civil services officer who served as a president of the United Nations Security Council from 1972 to 73.[12]
Career
Sen served in the government of India at various posts, including under secretary, and deputy secretary. From 1946 to 48, he represented India at the United Nations as a liaison officer. He also served as chairperson of the International Commission of Control and Supervision besides serving as ambassador to Algeria and Lebanon, and high commissioner to Australia, New Zealand, and Pakistan. In the Government of India, he also served as joint secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs from 1957 to 1959.[citation needed]
During his foreign services, he served as president of the United Nations Administrative Tribunal and chairperson of the G77.[5]
Personal life
Sen married Sheila Lal Malhotra, daughter of Sardari Lal Malhotra (owner of Marina Hotel in Delhi's Connaught Place) and Vera Swan.[13] Sen and Malhotra had four children - sound editor and sound designer Jupiter Sen,[14] economist Julius Sen,[15] Ariana Grimes (née Sen) and Sevaly Sen.[9]
Sheila's sister Tina Angela Lal married British athletics coach Peter Coe with whom she had four children including Sebastian Coe.[16]
Bangladesh
Following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15 August 1975, the new Bangladeshi President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad wanted to form a confederation with Pakistan. On 18 August 1975, Samar Sen, then Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, was reported to read out to Mostaq Ahmad the contents of a slip of paper in his possession, which stated: "If the name of the People's Republic of Bangladesh is changed and a confederation is made with any country, then under the valid treaty, the Indian Army will take appropriate action. But if you refrain from changing the name and the idea of a so-called confederation, India will consider whatever happens from 15 August onwards as Bangladesh’s internal matter." On hearing this, Mostaq Ahmad became dejected[17] and announced against the formation of a confederation with Pakistan.[18]