New Delhi: India has announced two important diplomatic appointments aimed at strengthening its engagement with Africa and the Pacific region. Prem Chand, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 2011 batch, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Cabo Verde, while senior diplomat Muanpuii Saiawi (IFS: 2005), currently serving as High Commissioner to New Zealand, has been concurrently accredited as the next High Commissioner of India to the Independent State of Samoa.
The appointments reflect India’s growing diplomatic outreach in strategically important regions and its commitment to deepening bilateral ties with island nations across Africa and the Pacific.
Prem Chand Appointed Ambassador to Cabo Verde
Prem Chand (YOA: 2011), presently posted in the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Cabo Verde.
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A career diplomat with more than 15 years of experience in the Indian Foreign Service, Prem Chand has handled several important diplomatic responsibilities during his tenure. His latest appointment marks a significant milestone in his diplomatic career as he assumes ambassadorial responsibilities for the first time.
Experience in Abu Dhabi
Before his elevation as Ambassador, IFS Prem Chand served in a key diplomatic capacity at the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi, one of India’s most important overseas missions owing to the strategic nature of India-UAE relations.
During his diplomatic career, he has been associated with critical areas of bilateral engagement, including political, economic and consular affairs, contributing to India’s broader foreign policy objectives.
Strengthening India’s Presence in Africa
His appointment to Cabo Verde is expected to reinforce India’s engagement with African island nations and advance cooperation in areas such as maritime security, trade, development partnerships, capacity building and cultural exchanges.
The Republic of Cabo Verde, an island nation located off the northwest coast of Africa, occupies a strategically important position in the Atlantic Ocean and is increasingly becoming an important partner in India’s outreach to Africa.
Mr Prem Chand is expected to work towards strengthening political dialogue, expanding economic cooperation and promoting people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Muanpuii Saiawi Gets Additional Charge of Samoa
In another significant diplomatic move, Muanpuii Saiawi (IFS: 2005), presently High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, has been concurrently accredited as the next High Commissioner of India to the Independent State of Samoa, with residence in Wellington.
The concurrent accreditation is aimed at enhancing India’s diplomatic engagement with Pacific Island countries, a region that has gained increasing strategic importance in global geopolitics.
A Distinguished Career Diplomat
Muanpuii Saiawi is among India’s most accomplished diplomats and currently serves as High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, a position she assumed in March 2026.
Known for her expertise in multilateral diplomacy, international security, cyber policy and disarmament affairs, she has built a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in the Indian Foreign Service.
Roots in Mizoram
Hailing from Aizawl, Mizoram, IFS Saiawi comes from a family with a rich public service legacy. She is the daughter of the late Lalhmingliana Saiawi, one of the first IAS officers from the Mizo community and a noted novelist.
She completed her schooling at St. Anne’s High School and later graduated from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.
Before joining the Indian Foreign Service, she had also qualified for the Indian Audit and Accounts Service in 2003 and the Indian Revenue Service in 2004, highlighting her exceptional academic and competitive achievements.
During her diplomatic training, she was awarded the prestigious Ambassador Bimal Sanyal Gold Medal for Best Officer Trainee.
Leadership Roles in the Ministry of External Affairs
Over the years, Ms Saiawi has held several critical assignments at the Ministry of External Affairs headquarters in New Delhi.
From September 2022 to March 2026, she served as Joint Secretary in the Disarmament and International Security Affairs Division. She also headed the Cyber Diplomacy and New Emerging & Strategic Technologies Division as Joint Secretary between 2022 and 2023.
Her responsibilities included shaping India’s positions on international security, emerging technologies and cyber governance issues.
Global Recognition
Ms Saiawi has represented India at several international forums and chaired the 2022 United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on the Register of Conventional Arms, underscoring her standing in global diplomatic circles.
International Assignments Across Asia-Pacific
Throughout her diplomatic career, IFS Saiawi has served in several strategically important countries across the Asia-Pacific region.
In Israel, she worked as Counsellor handling press, information, culture and tourism. In Japan, she served as First Secretary responsible for information, education and cultural affairs. She also served in the Republic of Korea, contributing to India’s diplomatic engagement in Northeast Asia.
These assignments provided her with extensive experience in political diplomacy, cultural outreach and strategic affairs.
Expanding India’s Pacific Outreach
As High Commissioner to New Zealand, Saiawi has already been entrusted with additional diplomatic responsibilities in the Pacific region. In recent months, she was concurrently accredited as High Commissioner to the Cook Islands and now to Samoa.
The latest assignment reflects India’s growing focus on strengthening ties with Pacific Island nations through development partnerships, climate cooperation, capacity building and enhanced political engagement.
Personal Interests
Beyond diplomacy, IFS Saiawi is a trained pianist and has a keen interest in music and travel, interests she often incorporates into cultural diplomacy initiatives.
She is married to a fellow diplomat who currently serves as India’s Ambassador to Vietnam, and the couple has a daughter.
Strengthening India’s Global Footprint
The appointments of Prem Chand and Muanpuii Saiawi underscore India’s continuing efforts to expand its diplomatic footprint across emerging strategic regions. While Prem Chand will focus on enhancing India’s engagement with Cabo Verde and West Africa, Saiawi’s additional responsibility in Samoa is expected to deepen India’s partnerships across the Pacific, reinforcing New Delhi’s broader foreign policy objectives.
