RIYADH: India’s new ambassador to the Kingdom is due to arrive in the capital later this month, the Indian Embassy announced on Friday.
Talmiz Ahmad, currently Indian ambassador to the UAE, succeeds M.O.H. Farook, who left Saudi Arabia after he recently completed his tenure.
Indian Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Rajiv Shahare told Arab News that the new envoy is expected to arrive in Riyadh on Jan. 20, before the India Republic Day celebrations on Jan. 26.
This will be Ahmad’s third stint in the Kingdom. He was first consul general in Jeddah from 1989 to 1993 and later ambassador in Riyadh from 2000 to 2003.
Ahmad has also been India’s ambassador to Oman and deputy high commissioner in Pretoria, South Africa. Ahmed also served his country’s missions in Kuwait, Baghdad, Sanaa, London and New York.
Ahmad, who joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1974, has served as spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and headed the Gulf and Haj Divisions.
He has worked in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas as additional secretary for international cooperation and as director general of the Indian Council of World Affairs.
He became Indian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates in August 2007.