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'I learnt diplomacy in India': Ban Ki-moon

Source: PTI

Last updated on: March 9, 2011 16:24 IST

Image: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon greets violin maestro L Subramaniam and son Ambi at the UN headquarters
Photographs: SnapsIndia

Speaking at a function in the United Nations headquarters in New York, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday that he had learnt diplomacy in India, which was his first posting nearly four decades ago. Ban told the gathering, "That's the place where I learnt all that diplomacy."

Image: Violin maestros L Subramaniam and Ambi Subramaniam perform at UN headquarters
Photographs: Snaps India

"That's the place where I enjoyed Indian music," he said, adding that it helped him "relax, reflect and recharge". Ace violinists L Subramaniam and his son Ambi Subramaniam played at the function at the UN headquarters.

Image: Hardeep Singh Puri, India's envoy to the UN greets L Subramaniam
Photographs: SnapsIndia

Speaking before the performance, Hardeep Singh Puri, India's permanent representative to the UN, said that the often "arcane language" of diplomacy wasn't a part of the "universal language" of music. "This is one language where the nuances don't have to be interpreted," he said.

Image: The Subramaniams' violin performance drew a standing ovation
Photographs: SnapsIndia

Before becoming UN Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's foreign affairs ministry. He entered diplomatic service the year he graduated from university, accepting his first post in New Delhi. India has indicated that it will support Ban's election for a second term.