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Indo-Canadian named policy adviser on India

Ajit Jain in Toronto

It is the first time that the Canadian government has named an Indo-Canadian as policy adviser on India to Minister for Foreign Affairs John Manley.

Sanjeev Choudhry, 32, who was elevated to this coveted position on Wednesday, said, "I feel thrilled as now I will be able to make some contribution and help in formulating the Canadian foreign policy in regard to India. My roots are there."

Choudhry said he was grateful for the confidence Manley had shown in his ability and stewardship since he was appointed the minister's press secretary after he finished his term as assistant trade commissioner in the Canadian consulate in Bombay last year.

His parents are both teachers and they migrated from India in 1958. Choudhry himself was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

During his last few months as the press secretary, Choudhry served as Manley's chief spokesman on most Canadian foreign policy issues. Choudhry was also actively involved in detailing Canada's changed attitude towards India and other countries in the subcontinent.

Asked for his reactions to the recent Agra summit between Indian and Pakistani leaders, Choudhry said, "Despite the evident setback in failing to issue a joint statement at the end of the summit, we continue to urge both countries to sustain a peaceful dialogue."

During his stint in Bombay, Choudhry started the annual Terry Fox run for cancer research in 1997 that saw participation from a large number of film stars, businessmen and community leaders.

During the first run itself, Choudhry succeeded in raising Rs 5 million, says Winnipeg-based businessman Hemant Shah, who has three companies in India and has known Choudhry for his work in the Canadian consulate.

"He's an excellent public relations man who cultivated Bombay's business community, and despite Canada's economic sanctions, bilateral trade between the two nations didn't suffer any setbacks," he said.

Choudhry graduated from Saint Mary's University in 1990 and was the first Asian to be elected president of the students' union (1989-90) in Atlantic Canada.

He was awarded the Rotary Foundation Scholarship for Atlantic Canada to pursue his master's degree in any part of the world.

Choudhry attended the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird) in Arizona and got his master's degree in international management where he was voted top student of the graduating class and was appointed the valedictorian.

For two years (1993-95), Choudhry worked as a columnist for The Chronicle-Herald/Mail Star, Atlantic Canada's second largest daily newspaper.

He then became an executive assistant to the Nova Scotia minister for economic development, tourism and culture and joined the foreign service in 1995.

Interestingly, Choudhry was part of the Team Canada trade mission that came to India in January 1996 under the leadership of Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

In April 1999, Choudhry was nominated for the foreign service 'officer of the year' award by the Canadian high commissioner.

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