Mexico's ambassador in India has been making news for her unusual choice of official vehicle. Instead of swanky cars, Melba Pria travels around Delhi in a white auto-rickshaw, which bears her country's flag and a diplomatic number plate.

Pria has said that she chose the auto-rickshaw because it is "the most efficient means of transport" and also less polluting. The compact three-wheeler runs on CNG, like thousands of other autos running across Delhi. It was bought in India, and then remodelled and spray-painted in a floral design by visiting Mexican street artist Senkoe.

“The attention it has received has made it a fun and creative way to promote Mexico and its artistry. Some people get worried about security, but millions of Indians use auto-rickshaws everyday so why should I be any different?" Pria said in a statement. "I think Delhiites have had positive reactions to this rickshaw, as it pays homage to the Indian cultural tradition.”

The vehicle was then given a diplomatic number plate, and got an official chauffeur, an embassy employee named Rajendra Kumar. Pria has been using vehicle to attend meetings and function since the last one month.

During her time in India, Pria has spoken about the need to tackle air pollution in the world's most polluted city, drawing upon her experiences from Mexico City, which tackled the same problem through vehicle restrictions. She also cycles over 50 km a day, in and around the city.

Cool though it may be, auto-rickshaw has occasionally been barred from entering official buildings because it is perceived as a rented form of transport and not a private vehicle. Recently, it was stopped at the Parliament House where Pria was told that that three-wheelers were not allowed inside the premises.