Six Nations' Envoys Present Credentials – 25 September 2026

What happened

On 25 September 2026, President Droupadi Murmu accepted credentials from the envoys of Finland, Vietnam, Mexico, Estonia, the European Union and Belgium at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The envoys were: Mikko Kivikoski (Finland), Trinh Minh Manh (Vietnam), Pedro Blanco Pérez (Mexico), Kristi Karelsohn (Estonia), Jean-Eric Paquet (European Union) and Sophie Karlshausen (Belgium).

Background

A new ambassador or high commissioner formally starts work only after presenting a letter of credence to the head of state of the host country. In India, that is the President. Heads of mission from Commonwealth countries are called High Commissioners, and the rest are called Ambassadors. Diplomatic practice is governed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961. This batch includes two strategic partners: the EU, with which India is working on a free trade agreement, and Vietnam, a comprehensive strategic partner under India's Act East Policy.

Why it matters for exams

Questions like 'who presented credentials' and ambassador names appear in banking and SSC GA. The ceremony procedure and the Vienna Convention are useful for UPSC polity and IR.

Key facts for exams

• Countries/bodies: Finland, Vietnam, Mexico, Estonia, European Union, Belgium
• EU envoy: Jean-Eric Paquet
• President of India: Droupadi Murmu (15th President; took office 25 July 2022)
• Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations: 1961
• Capitals: Helsinki (Finland), Hanoi (Vietnam), Mexico City (Mexico), Tallinn (Estonia), Brussels (Belgium, also EU HQ)
• Commonwealth envoys are called High Commissioners

Practice MCQs

1. Envoys of how many countries/bodies presented credentials to the President on 25 September 2026?

   (A) Four
   (B) Five
   (C) Six
   (D) Seven

   Answer: (C) – Finland, Vietnam, Mexico, Estonia, the EU and Belgium.

2. Who presented credentials as the European Union's Ambassador to India?

   (A) Mikko Kivikoski
   (B) Jean-Eric Paquet
   (C) Pedro Blanco Pérez
   (D) Trinh Minh Manh

   Answer: (B) – Jean-Eric Paquet is the EU envoy.

3. What is the capital of Estonia?

   (A) Riga
   (B) Vilnius
   (C) Tallinn
   (D) Helsinki

   Answer: (C) Tallinn is the capital of Estonia.

Source: PIB – President's Secretariat, 25 Sep 2026