New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has appointed Abhishek Shukla, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of 2006 batch and currently serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Beijing, as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Serbia. The seasoned diplomat is expected to take up his new assignment shortly.
Career in Diplomacy Spanning Over a Decade
Mr Shukla brings with him a wealth of diplomatic experience spanning China, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and India’s MEA headquarters. His career is marked by several high-impact diplomatic roles, both in economic diplomacy and political engagement.
Read Also: From Freeze to Thaw: Who Is IFS Dinesh K Patnaik, India’s New High Commissioner to Canada?
Key Diplomatic Assignments
China (2008–2013)–
Mr Shukla began his overseas journey in Beijing, China, where he learned Mandarin at the China Foreign Affairs University. He later served as Third, Second, and First Secretary, focusing on trade and economic relations. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in promoting Indian businesses and enabling Chinese investments in India’s key sectors, including infrastructure, IT, and manufacturing.
United Kingdom (2013–2015)
In London, he served as First Secretary (Political) at the High Commission of India. He handled parliamentary engagement and played a critical liaison role, simultaneously serving as the staff officer to the High Commissioner.
Protocol Division, MEA (2015–2017)–
Upon returning to India, he took charge as Deputy Chief of Protocol (Ceremonials) in the Ministry of External Affairs. He facilitated numerous high-level foreign visits and was instrumental in coordinating the Prime Minister’s trips to major global destinations such as the US, Germany, Japan, and China.
He was closely involved in organizing the BRICS 2016 Summit in Goa, which also included BIMSTEC leaders, a landmark event for India’s multilateral diplomacy.
Other Key Roles and Personal Background
After serving at the MEA headquarters, Mr Shukla was posted as the Consul General of India in Cape Town, South Africa, further broadening his international portfolio. Most recently, he resumed duties as Deputy Chief of Mission in Beijing in July 2023, a critical posting amid evolving Indo-China dynamics.
IFS Shukla hails from Uttar Pradesh. He is married to Saloni Shukla, a former banker turned educator, and the couple has a son.
New Role in Serbia
As India’s next Ambassador to Serbia, Mr Shukla will represent Indian interests in a strategically located European nation. Serbia and India share long-standing historical ties, especially under the Non-Aligned Movement, and the appointment is seen as a move to strengthen diplomatic and economic cooperation.
