JEDDAH, 22 May 2008 — India’s new Consul General to Jeddah Sayeed Ahmed Baba will assume charge on July 2 succeeding Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, who has been consul general since 2004.
Speaking to Arab News, Baba, a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, said his top priorities include streamlining the management of the Haj and boosting Indo-Saudi ties.
“My first and foremost priority will be to improve facilities for Haj pilgrims and strengthen ties between India and Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Baba, a West Bengal cadre officer, is currently private secretary to Saifuddin Soz, minister of water resources. In the early phase of his civil service career, Baba served in different districts of West Bengal as sub-divisional officer and district magistrate of Burdwan, Jalpaiguri, Asansol and Dinajpur.
Born in Darjeeling, Baba initially studied at the oldest Islamic seminary of his hometown, Anjuman Islamia Madrasa, then attended Turnbull High School, followed by Darjeeling Government College and St. Joseph’s College. He then earned his MA in political science from Delhi University in 1987.
Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said Baba’s appointment was made “several months back.”
Ausaf Sayeed, a career diplomat, has been consul general since August 2004 and was given an extension till June 2008 after completion of his three-year tenure in August 2007.
