Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS): Bruce Bucknell has taken over as the new British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata, the High commission said on Friday.

"I am delighted to have arrived in Kolkata. I relish the challenge of working to further the vibrant people-to-people links and deep business connections with eastern India," Bucknell was quoted as saying in a release here.

Before taking up his assignment in Kolkata, Bucknell was British Ambassador to Belarus during 2012-16.

Previously, he was Deputy Head of Security in Estates and Security Directorate of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2009-2011) and Deputy Head of the Joint FCO and Department for International Development's Sudan Unit (2007-09).

He served as First Secretary in the British Embassy in Madrid from 2003-07, and his previous postings were in Milan (1995-99), and Amman (1988-91).

Bucknell studied modern history at Durham University, and takes a keen interest in the history of places he visits.

Bucknell represents the UK in the 13 states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.