UP: Foreign diplomats share their joy of experiencing Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj

Feb 01, 2025

Prayagraj (UP), Feb 1 (ANI): A 118-member delegation, including Heads of Mission (HoM), spouses of HoMs, and diplomats from 77 countries, arrived at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj today. Christian Villarreal, Bolivia Head of Mission in India, said, “... The Minister of External Affairs has the capacity to invite us once a year to the main celebrations of India. I had the privilege to be invited to Diwali 1.5 years ago, but nothing compares to this occasion. Not even my sons will be able to visit such an event which happens once in 144 years...” Marks Deitons, Latvia's First Secretary for Political and Economic Affairs in India, said, “When I think of India, I think of it as a place where humanity first came to light, the confluence of rivers and seas, and a place where there's spirit in the landscape. Great to be here today.” Stella Nkomo, Zimbabwe ambassador to India, said “It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience... Diplomatic life is also about pursuing cultural and public diplomacy. This is a cultural diplomacy where we seek to understand India deeply... We are grateful to the Uttar Pradesh state for hosting us.”