New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs has appointed Bharath Kumar Kuthati (IFS:2006), presently serving as the High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Botswana, as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
The appointment was made on September 15, 2026.
Kuthati has been serving as India’s High Commissioner to Botswana since 2023. The Ministry of External Affairs had appointed him to the post on May 11, 2023, and he subsequently took charge in July 2023.
His new assignment marks another important diplomatic posting in a career spanning nearly two decades, during which he has served at several Indian Missions and Posts abroad as well as at the Ministry of External Affairs headquarters in New Delhi.
From Botswana to Trinidad and Tobago
Kuthati is currently designated as the High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Botswana. His tenure in Botswana began in 2023 after the MEA appointed him to the post in May that year.
During his diplomatic career, he has worked in several countries and regions, including some strategically important Indian Missions and Posts.
His overseas assignments have included Damascus in Syria, Khartoum in Sudan, Hong Kong, Baghdad in Iraq and Kabul in Afghanistan.
The experience has given him exposure to a wide range of diplomatic, administrative and international affairs assignments.
With his appointment to Trinidad and Tobago, Kuthati will now take up responsibility for representing India in the Caribbean nation.
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Experience at Ministry of External Affairs
Kuthati has also served in various capacities at the Ministry of External Affairs headquarters in New Delhi.
At the MEA, he handled the desk dealing with ASEAN countries and also worked in Human Resource Management.
His assignments at headquarters have added a policy and administrative dimension to his overseas diplomatic experience. Immediately prior to his first ambassadorial deployment, he served as a Director at the Ministry of External Affairs.
Served as Regional Passport Officer in Bengaluru
Apart from diplomatic assignments, Kuthati has also held an important domestic administrative position.
He served as the Regional Passport Officer (RPO) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, where he was responsible for passport administration and public service delivery in the region.
The posting gave him experience in managing a citizen-facing government service in addition to his responsibilities in foreign affairs.
Early Life and Education
Bharath Kumar Kuthati hails from Warangal in Telangana.
He completed his schooling and higher education in his hometown before entering the Indian Foreign Service.
Kuthati graduated in Metallurgical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Warangal (NITW), formerly known as the Regional Engineering College, Warangal.
His engineering background preceded his entry into the diplomatic service, where he has since built a career in foreign policy, international relations and government administration.
A Career in the Indian Foreign Service
Kuthati joined the Indian Foreign Service in 2006 and has since served the Government of India in a variety of capacities.
His overseas assignments have included:
- Damascus, Syria
- Khartoum, Sudan
- Hong Kong
- Baghdad, Iraq
- Kabul, Afghanistan
These postings have taken him across different diplomatic environments, covering West Asia, Africa and Asia.
At the MEA headquarters in New Delhi, his responsibilities included work related to ASEAN countries and Human Resource Management. His domestic assignment as Regional Passport Officer in Bengaluru further broadened his administrative experience.
High Commissioner to Botswana
In May 2023, the Ministry of External Affairs appointed Kuthati as the High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Botswana.
He took charge of the assignment in July 2023 and served in Gaborone until his latest appointment to Trinidad and Tobago.
His profile at the High Commission of India in Gaborone describes him as a career diplomat who has served the Government of India in various capacities both within the country and overseas.
New Assignment in Trinidad and Tobago
Kuthati’s appointment as High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago was announced on September 15, 2026.
As India’s High Commissioner, he will represent the Government of India in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and work on bilateral diplomatic and official engagement between the two countries.
The new posting adds another international assignment to a diplomatic career that has already included postings in several regions and responsibilities at the MEA headquarters.
Personal Interests and Family
Beyond his professional responsibilities, Kuthati has an interest in sports.
He enjoys playing cricket, badminton and tennis.
He is married to Reshma Kuthati, who is a homemaker. The couple has a daughter and a son.
From his early education in Warangal and engineering graduation from NIT Warangal to a diplomatic career spanning multiple overseas missions, Kuthati has built a profile combining technical education, administrative experience and long-term foreign-service assignments.
His appointment to Trinidad and Tobago now marks the next phase of his diplomatic journey after his tenure as India’s High Commissioner to Botswana.
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