Three more Western ambassadors want to use auto-rickshaws in Delhi – Mexican envoy Melba Pria becomes a trendsetter

June 20, 2016, NewsCrunch

Mexican ambassador Melba Pria, who gets around in New Delhi, in a white-colour CNG auto-rickshaw, has become a trendsetter.

Many other ambassadors stationed in New Delhi including US Ambassador Richard Varma want to follow her lead, reports The Telegraph quoting diplomatic sources.

Last November, Richard Varma, along with a colleague, Samantha Power, had reportedly hailed an auto-rickshaw to attend a meeting, signalling his readiness to start using the three wheeler.  

Two other European embassies in New Delhi, are also said to be exploring the possibility of acquiring auto-rickshaws for the use of its corps. The Vatican's mission in New Delhi has gone a step ahead and decided to buy a few three wheelers, says The Telegraph.

The foreign missions are probably trying to follow Melba Pria’s example in sending out an environmentally-friendly message in the polluted city of Delhi and ‘market their countries,’ better.

But the idea faces hurdles on its way to becoming a reality. For many ambassadors, especially the American envoy, security would be a top concern and the three-wheeler would compromise with that.

Indian protocols bar auto-rickshaws from many venues – Parliament, PM’s residence, for example –  which they may have to visit in the course of their duty.

There is also the issue of negotiating Delhi’s extreme heat and cold conditions and the intervening monsoons sitting in an open auto-rickshaw.