...by the way
Whose orders run during the Prime Minister’s tours,
especially when he travels abroad? The Chief Protocol Office (CPO) generally
manages the show and decides when and where, and who will meet the Prime
Minister. The CPO also decides the sitting arrangements, keeping in mind
the protocol at public functions abroad. There are small issues which cause
some sparks sometimes, especially regarding sitting arrangements within the
aircraft. Whoever is travelling with the Prime Minister desires a VVIP seat. In
April, when the Prime Minister was travelling to Germany, one of the senior
protocol officers changed the sitting arrangements and, due to the change, the
Special Protection Group (SPG) which manages the security of the Prime
Minister, was shifted to the economy class. The senior IPS officer of the SPG
came to know of the changed seating arrangement and said it was not acceptable.
There was a virtual fight between the protocol officer and the SPG officer
during the tour in the presence of the Indian Ambassador to Germany, Vijay
Gokhale. Finally, the SPG prevailed as onboard security within the
aircraft was under their purview. Gokhale pacified both officers and the SPG’s
suggestion was followed: the SPG group sat just behind the VVIPs. g
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