Rahul Nangare

 

First Secretary (Trade)

Indian High Commission, London

Public Finance Program (Customs Course ’10)

 

 

 

 

 

Please tell us about your career path so far. What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?

I passed India’s Civil Services examination in 1999 and was selected to join the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). So, I have been serving in various capacities as an IRS officer for the last 21 years and presently hold the rank of Commissioner of Customs / GST. My specialization has been in the Intelligence and Investigation field and in the Customs department. The Agencies that specialize in this field look for officers with a good track record and aptitude for this kind of work. I was awarded the Finance Minister’s Gold medal as the best trainee officer during IRS training. During my initial years, my performance in this field was appreciated and so I was selected for working in these agencies specializing in anti-smuggling and anti-evasion. In my tenure there, I have booked many successful cases leading to the detection of a significant amount of duty evasion, recovery of large amounts of revenue and prosecution of offenders.

 

You are currently serving as First Secretary (Trade) at the High Commission of India in London. What are your main roles and responsibilities?

Yes, I’m on deputation to the Foreign Ministry from my Revenue department to work in the Indian Embassy in the United Kingdom as a specialist in Trade and Customs matters. I joined as First Secretary (Trade) in the Indian High Commission, London in May, 2017. My responsibilities here include trade promotion activities, dealing with trade inquiries and trade disputes, interacting with UK’s Government department, and liaison with law enforcement agencies such as the National Crime Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, Border Force. Another unique responsibility is to interact and connect with Indian diaspora (which the second largest after Polish) residing in the UK.

 

 

 

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work? And what have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far?

Intelligence and investigation field requires working with a lot of secrecy and confidentiality. It also requires long hours of hard work with a small close-knit team. There are lots of pressures as the offenders try to play every trick in the book to avoid being caught and to evade punishment when caught. All the cases that culminate in a large amount of revenue recovery and appropriate punishment to the offenders feels rewarding. But special satisfaction is felt when complex and difficult cases with large amounts at stake are successfully prosecuted. The Government of India appreciated all the cumulative good performance over the years and awarded me the Presidential medal for Specially Distinguished Record of Service in the year 2019.

 

What led you to GRIPS? What is the most important thing you got out of your studies here, and how has your experience at GRIPS prepared you for future endeavors?

I worked in the Ministry of Finance in Delhi as Under Secretary, Excise Policy from 2005 to 2009. Towards the end of my tenure there, I keenly pursued GRIPS admission. Two of my IRS batchmates had done the GRIPS Public Finance course in previous years and they had highly recommended and encouraged me to pursue it. Interacting with officers from the Japanese Customs and professors, who had a vast knowledge of international Customs administrations gave valuable lessons in best practices being followed in various Customs administrations. This learning has proved to be extremely useful and relevant throughout my later career. Another important aspect of GRIPS education is that it gives such a wonderful opportunity to interact and network with administrators and future leaders of so many different countries. This has helped me in my present diplomatic career in working closely with colleagues from different embassies and various departments of the UK government.   

 

Have you had any involvement, professional or otherwise, with Japan since your graduation?

I have had very nice interactions with the Japanese diplomats working in London. My children, who were very young during my time at GRIPS have a great affiliation with all things Japanese including anime. They are learning Japanese as a hobby and we hope to travel back to Japan in personal or official capacity some time in the future. 

 

You have been living away from your home country for some time now. What do you like about living in London? And what you miss about India?

London is truly a global village. It has so many wonderful tourist attractions, historical places, museums that one cannot fully explore even after spending four years here. It has a vibrant social life with so many theatres and Westend dramas, some of the world’s best restaurants and of course the year-round sports calendar – be it football, cricket, tennis or Formula One. I got a chance to explore and enjoy it all in my tenure here (before COVID hit!). I miss the sun and warm climes of India as London can get very dark, cold and rainy for long spells. I also miss meeting family and close friends circles. But I’m looking forward to catching up with them after I complete my tenure in London.

 

How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life? And what is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

A fine work-life balance is so important especially since job pressures increase with each promotion in professional life. If we are not careful with our physical and mental health, there is a chance of burn-out. I’m a passionate sports fan and was lucky to follow a great number of events in the UK. I have also cultivated running as a hobby and completed a few half marathons and 10Ks in the last three years. I also practice yoga regularly, which is a great way to achieve overall wellness. Apart from that, reading books and travelling is what keeps me busy other than work. I could travel the length and breadth of Britain and also got a chance to visit many other countries in Europe during my present tenure.

 

What are some of your fondest memories of your time spent at GRIPS? And what do you miss about Japan?

I was elected Sports and Cultural Secretary in the GRIPS International Student Council. Some of my best memories of GRIPS are around organizing various events and competitions for students. I was chosen to be the Valedictorian in the Graduation Ceremony held in September 2010. My speech there and the subsequent love and appreciation by all the professors, staff and fellow students is something that I will always cherish. Also not to forget is partying and bonding with fellow Grippongians in TIEC hall at every possible opportunity. I miss travelling in the Japanese countryside. But the most that I miss is the Sakura season, which is absolutely mesmerizing and magical, exploring so many beautiful gardens all over Tokyo and of course all the hanami parties!

 

If you could give one piece of advice to anyone considering studying at GRIPS what would it be?

GRIPS is no doubt a top-class global Institute. But students should not look at GRIPS only as an academic institution. It offers so much more and a wholistic life experience. So study hard but explore life at GRIPS beyond classrooms and develop camaraderie with fellow students because that is also a very vital take away from GRIPS when you go back to your respective countries.

 

How would you like to maintain involved with the School? What do you expect from GRIPS as an alumnus and do you have any suggestions on how to further utilize the GRIPS alumni network?

COVID has taught the use of virtual technology to meet and interact with people across time zones and continents. I would look to be more engaged with GRIPS to attend online events. I would also love to speak and interact with students virtually if any opportunity arises in the future. The GRIPS alumni network is such a rich resource pool, both professionally and socially. We should have more Alumni meets in our respective countries. I still fondly remember meeting Karin Hillen, Director, Alumni Office in Mumbai with fellow alumni colleagues over a lovely Indian dinner spread. I look forward to many more such opportunities in the coming years.