May-Elin Stener, the Norwegian Ambassador to India, has been in the city for one year of her four-year stint and has discovered several things she appreciates about the Capital — Nehru Park, Lodhi Art District, the city’s bookstores, a good parantha. Born on March 24, 1969, she completed her Law degree in 1994 and has been with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1995. From 1997 to 2000, she was Embassy Secretary, Norwegian Mission to the International Organisations in Geneva (work on disarmament issues). In 2014-2018, she was Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations HQ in New York. From 2020-2023, she was Deputy Director General, Deputy Head of the Department for Regional Affairs — Covering Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, as well as peace and reconciliation issues. She has been Ambassador of Norway to India since August 29, 2023. Since November 5, 2023, she has been accredited as an ambassador of Norway to Sri Lanka. Apart from Norwegian, she is fluent in English and has a good knowledge of French and German. She is married, with one adult daughter and two adult stepchildren Stener spoke to The Indian Express for the fifth in a series of interviews with Ambassadors about Delhi — their home. Edited excerpts: What is one place in the city that you love to visit often? Nehru Park — I love going there and running on the path around the park. I also appreciate everyone else who’s there for a run, a walk, or to do yoga in the morning. It’s like the city, people in the city are waking up, so that’s the place I visit mostly. Three things that stood out for you in this one year? . There are so many but firstly, Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk. It’s very vibrant and lively and I’ve been there on walks, guided walks, guided bicycling. It’s a place where I always take guests and it really shows the middle of what is India for the Norwegians. The second place I like is the Lodhi Art District. It’s nice to walk around and look at the wall paintings and feel the vibe. And the third place I would mention is Humayun’s Tomb and Sunder Nursery around it. Any encounters with people that happened during your stay that you’ll probably remember for life? I have been here for a year, so I don’t maybe have the perspective. but one encounter and memory that I’m sure will stay with me is when I delivered credentials to the President in Rashtrapati Bhavan and in the Ashoka Hall. It’s a beautiful building. when I came there and had the meeting with the President. I had two female diplomats with me and the President said when we entered the room, ‘Nari Shakti’, so that was also a special moment that will stay with me. This was actually 36 hours after I came to the country — August 29, 2023. Cafes or bookstores you like to visit? Delhi has a lot of nice bookstores. They are very different from the stores we have in Oslo and other European cities. Everything is stacked in different ways and organised in different ways. A really nice bookshop is the one in Lodhi Art Colony. I can’t remember the name. I’ve been to Faqir Chand and Bahrisons in Khan Market several times. as Khan Market is a little close to the embassy. Favourite food? You know in Delhi what I like is the variety. Being an ambassador, I don’t find that much time to go out and eat. I would have liked to do it much more. We are here at the embassy quite a lot. but we also serve food here at the embassy and people like to come to eat salmon particularly. An Indian chef here prepares salmon in many different ways that I think Indians appreciate even if they only like Indian food. Maybe one dish I have learned about and appreciated since I came to Delhi a year ago — Parantha. Not every day but sometimes I have it for breakfast. I like street food from Old Delhi – so I would mention that also. Is there anything you would miss about the city once you go back? . I’ve only been here a year and I have another three years of my stay here. It’s a bit difficult to say is there anything I will or won’t think that I will miss. I’m here now and I’m really enjoying it. But the one thing I can say for sure is when I leave Delhi, Delhi will stay with me. I will miss some things and I will take them with me if I go back to Oslo or wherever else I go. If you had to introduce Delhi to someone back home, what would you say about it? I’m doing it all the time so that’s easy.. what I’m saying to people is that Delhi has a lot to offer. It’s not only a stopover on the way to the Taj Mahal or somewhere else but the vibe is excellent and it’s worth staying here.
