India Appoints New Chargé d’Affaires to Pakistan

In a significant diplomatic development amid ongoing tensions between the two neighbours, India has appointed Dr. Satyanjal Pandey as its next Chargé d’Affaires to Pakistan.

Dr. Pandey, a 2008-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, will take over at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. He moves from Colombo, where he served as Deputy High Commissioner since August 2023 and recently concluded his assignment.

India and Pakistan have long maintained Chargé d’Affaires-level diplomatic representation instead of full ambassadors due to strained bilateral relations, making the role crucial for managing day-to-day diplomatic engagement and continuity at the mission.

Dr. Pandey’s transition comes after he paid a farewell call on Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary, marking the end of his tenure in Colombo. He brings extensive experience to the sensitive Pakistan posting.

This development is expected to be formally notified by the Ministry of External Affairs in the coming days.