‘Delhi is immense, but cozy at the same time… intense, but kind’: Romanian Ambassador

In the External Service, before New Delhi, she served as head of mission — Charge d’affaires a.i. in Paris, Buenos Aires and Bogota, and as Deputy Chief of Mission in the first two.

Born in Bucharest, her first posting was in the Permanent Mission to the United Nations — New York.

Previously, she worked as an international relations researcher for French think-tanks, as well as a project manager and trainer for European NGOs.

Latif studied at the University Pantheon Assas – Paris II (MA), the Bucharest Academy of Economic Sciences (BA), the Lille University of Sciences and Technologies, and the Franco-Romanian Management Institute/ University of Auvergne.

She is fluent in English, French and Spanish and has basic knowledge of Turkish.

Latif speaks to The Indian Express as part of a series of interviews with diplomats about Delhi, their home.

Excerpts:

What is the one place in the city that you love to visit often?

I think the place I visit most is the neighbourhood where I live… Malcha Marg. I like that it’s a very quiet and green area. We walk a lot around there and find it beautiful.

And I think (another) place I visit most in Delhi is the flower stand. It’s not a shop… just a small stand in our neighbourhood where I go every Sunday with my daughter. We’ve made it a habit… we spend about an hour at this place picking flowers. Sometimes, other neighbours join us. That’s our hangout spot in the neighbourhood.

If I’m travelling and I’m unable to go there, the gentleman asks us why we didn’t come. The security guard in the embassy also asks me if I miss out on going to the flower stand.

Three things that have stood out to you during your stay here?

I think the first thing that impresses me every day is the lush green vegetation in Delhi. Even in winter, summer — regardless of the season — it’s very green, especially after the rain. I think it’s the most beautiful green I’ve seen in my life.

The traffic also stood out to me. I’m just noticing it. And I’m not complaining.

And then the animals. The fact that we see monkeys and cows and squirrels and birds and green parrots every day — it’s something very unique, I think, for a Capital.

How do you deal with the traffic?

It’s not that we don’t have traffic in Romania. But here it’s not the number of cars, but the way of driving… this is a new experience. You see many cars, many tuk-tuks, animals sometimes, cows, and buses — everybody is doing their own thing. There’s a lot of honking, but it’s calm, nothing is happening, and there are no accidents. You get to where you need to, it’s not taking much longer, it’s just the image is very impressive.

And the pollution?

For me, it’s the eighth country I have lived in. Everywhere we move, we prepare beforehand… do our research… So, it’s not a surprise. I think it’s a matter of preparation and expectations. Of course, we made sure we had air purifiers, wore masks, and stayed indoors.

Your favourite food in the city?

I always liked Indian food and spicy food. I think in my circle of friends, I’m considered the one who eats very spicy food. Of course, when I came here, that changed. It’s a very different level. So, I like to try a variety of Indian dishes. I like the masala prawns here. And the fish tikka.

Do you have a favourite restaurant?

As diplomats, we are lucky to have a rich social life, so we’re invited to many nice places. When I can choose for myself, I try not to go to the very nice hotels… you know, where we go with delegations, but to the local ones. So, we go to Malcha Marg and Khan Market. We order a lot of food online; we experiment every time.

How is Delhi different from the other cities you’ve visited?

It’s the first city I have lived in where I don’t speak the local language. Of course, everybody speaks English here. But it’s strange for me to always be surrounded by, to try to accept, to overcome this language barrier. But somehow, it’s not an issue.

I also think we drive more than we walk. In other cities, I used to walk more. Maybe it’s just in the beginning, and I will gradually be braver to walk more.

I think the climate here is different, too. Also, there are such nice areas. Whenever we drive to the office, I see this boulevard and so much greenery.

I think compared to the cities I lived in, the diplomatic social life in Delhi is very active and rich… Almost all the countries have embassies here. Delhi is a lot more colourful and intense.

Are there any similarities in the people or the culture of Romania and Delhi/India?

I think the Romanians are similar to Indians, they are very hospitable. Whenever you go to a Romanian home, they will offer you something. If they weren’t prepared, they would take out everything from the fridge and put it on the table, and not let you go until you eat something. So, there is a certain hospitality and kindness.

And then I think there are differences, of course. I think we are a little more spirited, louder, and not so calm.

If you had to introduce Delhi to someone back home, how would you describe it to them?

I would say it’s a wonderful, colourful city, full of contrasts. It’s immense, but cozy at the same time. It’s very intense, but it’s also kind. It is historical but also very modern. And I think no matter what the season is, it still looks like spring outside. This, for me, was very impressive.

Memories that will stay with you when you go back?

These six months have been very special for me.

I’ve been here before, 16 years ago… on a holiday… I was visiting my aunt and uncle, who were living here. My uncle was the Ambassador of Romania to India about 20 years ago.

I was a young diplomat then in New York, at the United Nations… It was my dream already to become an ambassador, but I didn’t know if that would happen — let alone that it would be in India where he’d also been. So, when I’ve come back now, I’m recognising places where he took me to organise a nice vacation for me for my birthday that time.

I think another thing I will definitely remember is the ceremony of presenting the letters of credentials to the President. I had tears in my eyes because I thought, you know, 16 years later I’m back in the same place but in a very different capacity… and it’s one of the highest honours to be able to meet the President of the country. I was happy to be there with my family and colleagues. That was something very, very special.

Then, of course, there are the everyday events. Just recently, a very different incident that impressed me was when I was in a medical cabinet for a checkup… I had a book… by Shashi Tharoor. A nurse, a gentle young man, came to me and asked me while I was waiting, ‘Are you a diplomat? How did you become one? How is the exam in your country?’

He knew a lot, I was surprised, probably it’s his passion. And then he said, ‘Can you just wait a little? I’ll be back…’

And then he came and he offered me a book… written by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, called The India Way. I was impressed by the kindness and the attention…

How has Delhi changed in the last 16 years?

I think back then, I looked at it as a tourist. I was fascinated by it, but I didn’t pay much attention to other details. It’s very different when you live in a city and visit it as a tourist.

But one thing I noticed now is that the streets are wider and everything seems bigger to me. Back then, I felt it was more crowded… now, it seems like a better-organised and pleasant city to live in.

Is there anything in the city that you’ll miss a lot?

We are still a long way from leaving, so we haven’t thought about it yet. But… when I leave, or when I’m on vacation, I think this lush greenery is something I’ll miss. And also, the kindness of the people. Everybody is smiling… calm and kind, and this is something particularly special for such a big city.