New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has appointed Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Ravi Shanker Goel (Year of Allotment: 2009) as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Suriname. The appointment was announced on October 15, 2026.
Goel is currently serving as the Consul General of India at the Consulate General of India in Medan, Indonesia. He brings extensive diplomatic experience, having served at the MEA headquarters in New Delhi and in Indian missions across several countries.
His previous overseas assignments include Algeria, Switzerland, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia and Oman. During these postings, he handled a broad range of diplomatic responsibilities covering political, commercial, cultural, information, consular and administrative affairs.
Goel is expected to take up his new assignment in Suriname shortly.
Who Is Ravi Shanker Goel?
Mr Goel is a career diplomat in the Indian Foreign Service who has held assignments both at the Ministry of External Affairs headquarters and at Indian diplomatic missions abroad. His experience spans bilateral relations, consular affairs, administration and multilateral engagement.
Before his appointment as Ambassador to Suriname, Goel served as Consul General of India in Medan, Indonesia. He also served as Director of Cyber Diplomacy at the MEA headquarters in New Delhi, a position that placed him in a specialised area of India’s diplomatic engagement.
His career has involved work across different geographical regions and diplomatic environments, providing him with experience in political and commercial relations, cultural engagement and consular services.
Diplomatic Career and International Postings
Goel has served in seven countries during his diplomatic career, representing India through assignments in Africa, Europe, South Asia, West Asia and East Asia.
His international postings include:
- Algeria
- Switzerland
- Afghanistan
- Sri Lanka
- Saudi Arabia
- Mongolia
- Oman
Across these missions, he dealt with political, commercial and cultural matters, along with information-related work, consular responsibilities and administration.
These assignments form a significant part of his diplomatic background as he prepares to assume the ambassadorial position in Suriname. His experience across multiple regions has exposed him to varied bilateral relationships and the operational responsibilities of Indian missions overseas.
Experience at the Ministry of External Affairs Headquarters
Alongside his international postings, Goel has held several assignments at the MEA headquarters in New Delhi, where he worked across multiple divisions dealing with India’s external relations and administrative functions.
His responsibilities at headquarters included work related to Administration, the Central Passport Organization (CNV), Finance, Haj, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and ASEAN-Multilateral affairs.
These assignments covered a range of functions, from internal administration and financial matters to regional cooperation and multilateral diplomacy.
One of his notable assignments was as Director of the Cyber Diplomacy Division at the Ministry of External Affairs. Before moving to Medan, he held this position in New Delhi.
His experience in cyber diplomacy adds a specialised dimension to his career, alongside his work in traditional bilateral diplomacy, consular services and regional affairs.
Educational Qualifications and Personal Background
IFS Goel was born on February 26, 1969. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in History from Panjab University.
He speaks four languages: Hindi, English, French and Arabic. His language skills complement his experience across different international postings and diplomatic environments.
Goel is married and has one son.
New Role as India’s Ambassador to Suriname
IFS Goel’s appointment marks his transition from leading the Consulate General of India in Medan to heading India’s diplomatic representation in Suriname.
The MEA announced the appointment on October 15, 2026, confirming his selection as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Suriname. He is expected to assume the assignment shortly.
In his new role, Goel will represent India in its bilateral engagement with Suriname. His responsibilities will include advancing diplomatic relations and supporting cooperation in areas such as trade, culture, consular services and other matters of mutual interest.
His previous assignments at Indian missions abroad, combined with his experience in regional and multilateral affairs at the MEA headquarters, constitute the professional background he brings to the new position.
Ravi Shanker Goel: Key Details at a Glance
- Service: Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
- Year of Allotment: 2009
- New Appointment: Ambassador of India to the Republic of Suriname
- Appointment Date: October 15, 2026
- Previous Position: Consul General of India in Medan, Indonesia
- Previous MEA Role: Director, Cyber Diplomacy Division
- International Postings: Algeria, Switzerland, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia and Oman
- Headquarters Experience: Administration, Central Passport Organization (CNV), Finance, Haj, SAARC and ASEAN-Multilateral affairs
- Date of Birth: February 26, 1969
- Educational Qualifications: Bachelor of Commerce from Delhi University and Master’s in History from Panjab University
- Languages Known: Hindi, English, French and Arabic
- Family: Married with one son
