On 15 November 2020, O'Farrell sparked an outcry when he met Mohan Bhagwat, the leader of the far-right Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a paramilitary group which has been implicated in large-scale religious riots and other acts of extremist violence. Despite COVID and lockdowns in Australia and India, O'Farrell oversaw a virtual 'leadership summit' held on 4 June 2020 between the Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The summit elevated the Australia/India relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with eleven accompanying agreements ranging from maritime and defence security through to education and economic co-operation. As high commissioner O'Farrell announced his intention to replace the "3 C's" (cricket, commonwealth and curry) with the "4 Ds" (democracy, defence, diaspora and dosti) in seeking to characterise Australia India relations. On 7 October 2022, O'Farrell presented his credentials as ambassador to the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, at Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu. Personal and community life O'Farrell was first married in 1987. The union lasted for less than a year and he seeks to maintain the privacy of his former wife. While working for Bruce Baird in Sydney, O'Farrell met Rosemary Cowan, Baird's personal assistant and the daughter of Bruce Cowan, a former Nationals state and federal politician. O'Farrell and Rosemary Cowan married in late 1992 and had two sons. Soon after becoming a Member of Parliament, he had been nicknamed "Fatty O'Barrel" by political opponents due to his weight. But in the period 2003–2005 O'Farrell is reported to have lost 40–50 kilograms. As a Member of Parliament 1995–2005, O'Farrell was involved in various local organisations including Ku-ring-gai Amateur Swimming Club, the Ku-ring-gai Historical Society and was an honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Wahroonga. O'Farrell was also Vice Patron of the Sir David Martin Foundation and Patron of the RSPCA NSW Branch. O'Farrell has walked the 110 km long Kokoda Track twice. The first time was in 2008 with his eldest son, and the second time was in 2014, with his youngest son and Seven News state political reporter Lee Jeloscek. O'Farrell was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2020 Australia Day Honours for "distinguished service to the people and Parliament of New South Wales, particularly as Premier, and to the community." External links Parliamentary Profile References 1959 births Living people Australian monarchists Australian National University alumni Australian people of Irish descent Australian