Munish Sood
MANDI: Irina Thakur of Lahaul-Spiti’s remote Shansha village has once again brought pride to Himachal Pradesh as she has taken up a prestigious diplomatic role. The Government of India has appointed her as the Deputy High Commissioner of India in Canberra, Australia.
Irina Thakur entered the Indian Foreign Service in 2012 after clearing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. Over the years, she has served the Ministry of External Affairs in several key positions, handling important assignments in political, economic and policy-related areas.
As the Deputy High Commissioner in Canberra, she will play a pivotal role in strengthening India-Australia ties across political, economic, cultural and consular domains. Her appointment is seen as a step towards deepening bilateral cooperation and expanding India’s diplomatic outreach in the Indo-Pacific region.
Irina’s journey from a small, high-altitude village in Lahaul to one of the top diplomatic positions abroad is being hailed as an inspiration for the younger generation. Her story demonstrates that determination and hard work can help overcome geographical and social barriers to achieve success at the international level.
This achievement is not only a personal milestone for Irina Thakur but also a moment of pride for Himachal Pradesh and India. Her success symbolises the growing presence of talented individuals from remote regions in global leadership and governance.
