Nishi Dholakia
Biography
Nishi Dholakia was appointed His Majesty’s Commissioner for the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) in December 2024.
Nishi is a member of HM Diplomatic Service: his roles include postings in Brussels, Washington, and most recently the British Embassy in Beijing, as the senior lead (Minister-Counsellor) for Economics, Trade Policy, and Environmental issues. He was chief negotiator with the Chinese for the 2019 Economic and Financial Dialogue.
Nishi was also joint head of the HM Government China Network Medical Supplies Task Force, which procured £1 billion (later £4 billion) of goods to help save the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commissioner, British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)
The Commissioner has the power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the territory. As with any other British Overseas Territory, BIOT is constitutionally distinct and separate from the UK, with its own laws and Administration. The Commissioner is represented in the Territory by the Commissioner’s Representative, a Royal Navy Commander, who carries out the instructions of the Commissioner.