Ambassador Omar Lisandro Castaneda Solare, a career diplomat with nearly two decades of experience, has been living in Delhi for nearly three years. He likes the multifaceted city as he too wears many hats —- he is a professional radio host and also enjoys water sports, swimming and cultural activities.
He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala on April 18, 2005. In the last two decades, he has served his country in different positions such as the Minister Counselor at the Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the United Nations in New York from 2009-2015 and Deputy Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the United Nations from 2016-2022.
He was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Guatemala to India in December 2022. He holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the Complutense University of Spain and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of San Carlos of Guatemala. He speaks, writes and understands Spanish and English. He speaks to The Indian Express as part of a series of interviews with Ambassadors about Delhi — their home. Excerpts:
What is the one place in the city that you love to visit often?
I have been in Delhi for almost three years. It is difficult to mention just one place. I love to visit the heritage sites that the city offers, particularly, Safdarjung Tomb and Humayun’s Tomb since I am interested in history and archaeology. I love to be at Gandhi Smriti Museum. I also like to invite friends, family and colleagues to visit where they are in Delhi. The history of that place is fascinating.
What are the three things that have stood out during your stay in Delhi?
There are certainly more than three… but being in Delhi, I would say that I like the vibrant culture and traditions of the capital city of India. Secondly, the traditional markets, and thirdly, the hospitality and warmth of the people of India.
Favourite food in the city?
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I think Indian food is delicious, particularly chicken biryani, mutton biryani, chicken tikka, paneer and the dosa masala! I love Indian desserts, particularly the creamy kulfi as well as the carrot halwa. Needless to say, I love Assam and Darjeeling Tea, which are very good for digestion. I like to go to dine at the restaurants in Bikaner House and others located in Old Delhi.
Any special memories or encounters related to Delhi that will always stay with you?
Certainly, there are many. One of the most important ones is meeting Dr S Jaishankar and the third mechanism of foreign consultations between India and Guatemala in November 2023 that has strengthened our bilateral relations. I am so happy that along with my colleagues in the Embassy, we had celebrated some important cultural exhibitions such as Holy Week in Guatemala and our National Independence Day in September, showcasing the Mayan heritage of Guatemala as the heart of the Mayan World.
On other matters, before serving in India, I was serving at the Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the United Nations in New York and many of my former colleagues in New York are also ambassadors in India, and those encounters with them here in Delhi have been wonderful.
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I have to say that I am also very impressed by the scholars and academics that are interested in Latin America and particularly in Guatemala, my country. The level of knowledge about Guatemalan literature and especially about Miguel Angel Asturias, Guatemalan Nobel prize in literature who visited India in 1956-1957 is remarkable.
The encounters with the associations of Spanish Professors and Hispanists in Delhi have been one of the most interesting and rewarding experiences I will cherish.
What will you miss about Delhi when you bid goodbye to the city?
Many things…but overall — the gentleness and hospitality of the people in Delhi.
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If you have to introduce Delhi to someone back home, how would you do it?
That is a good question! Delhi has been such a welcoming city for me and I am sure that is an unforgettable experience that one needs to have. It combines history, modernity and tradition, which makes it unique for a visitor, as well as a unique sense of hospitality.
How is Delhi different from the other places where you have worked?
I have served in New York before. I would say that the traffic is less in New York compared to Delhi, but both cities have a considerable amount of traffic. On the other hand, the metro subway system in New Delhi is one of the best I have seen compared to other cities.
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Any suggestions you would like to give to the administrators to make the city better?
I will suggest finding ways to reduce the traffic jams and encouraging people to use the subway system and other alternatives. This will certainly help in improving air quality in Delhi and in the surrounding areas. On other matters, I will recommend the administrators of Delhi to create an area that could be a park or a plaza dedicated to the friendship between India and Latin American and the Caribbean countries. This area will certainly strengthen the good relation that India has with all the Latin American and Caribbean nations, including my country Guatemala.
Does pollution in Delhi bother you? How do you and your family deal with it?
Well, it has bothered me more in the past, but in recent years, both at home and in my embassy, we have air purifiers. Nonetheless, I believe that more efforts could be implemented to reduce the pollution with better practices, such as avoiding burning agricultural waste, reducing vehicle emissions and construction dust.
