Ex-Kuwait envoy Sibi George appointed as Secretary West

The Government of India has announced two significant senior-level appointments in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Sudhakar Dalela and Sibi George, both seasoned diplomats from the 1993 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), have been appointed as Secretary (Economic Relations) and Secretary (West), respectively.

These appointments come as part of a routine reshuffle following the upcoming retirement of their predecessors. Sudhakar Dalela will succeed Dammu Ravi (IFS: 1989), while Sibi George will take over from Tanmaya Lal (IFS: 1991). Both Ravi and Lal are scheduled to superannuate on July 31, 2025.

Sibi George is a senior diplomat with a distinguished track record in representing India abroad and in handling complex diplomatic assignments.

This appointment marks a significant milestone in George’s diplomatic career, during which he has represented India in some of the world’s most strategically important capitals.

Before his current posting in Tokyo, Sibi George served as India’s Ambassador to Kuwait, where he played a key role in advancing bilateral relations and supporting the large Indian diaspora. He has also previously served as Ambassador to Switzerland, The Holy See (Vatican City) and the Principality of Liechtenstein, strengthening India’s ties with these European entities.

George began his diplomatic career in Cairo, Egypt, serving in India’s mission as a Political Officer. He later moved to the Indian Embassy in Doha, Qatar, where he held the position of First Secretary, overseeing Consular, Community, Information, and Media Affairs.

His subsequent assignments included critical postings such as Political Counsellor at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan; Political and Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of India in Washington, DC; Deputy Chief of Mission at Indian embassies in Tehran and Riyadh.

In the Ministry of External Affairs headquarters in New Delhi, George has served in multiple key capacities. He was posted in the East Asia Division, where he contributed to India’s policy engagement with countries in that region. He also served as Coordinator for the India-Africa Forum Summit, one of India’s largest multilateral diplomatic initiatives involving leaders from across the African continent.

He later headed three important divisions in the ministry — Administration, Establishment, and Welfare — overseeing personnel, organizational operations, and staff welfare initiatives. In recognition of his outstanding service, the MEA awarded him the S.K. Singh Award for Excellence in the Indian Foreign Service in 2014.

Sibi George served as the Ambassador of India to Kuwait during a crucial period, where he played a pivotal role in deepening bilateral relations and ensuring the welfare of the large Indian community residing in the Gulf nation. Under his leadership, the embassy strengthened cooperation in key areas such as energy, healthcare, education, and labor mobility. His tenure was marked by proactive diplomatic engagement with Kuwaiti authorities, resulting in several high-level visits and renewed focus on strategic partnerships.

A significant part of his mission focused on supporting the over one million-strong Indian diaspora in Kuwait. Ambassador George prioritized consular responsiveness, community outreach, and welfare initiatives, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he coordinated closely with both Indian and Kuwaiti agencies to assist stranded Indian nationals and facilitate repatriation efforts under the Vande Bharat Mission. His efforts earned him appreciation from both the Indian government and the expatriate community.

Beyond bilateral ties, Sibi George worked to promote India’s cultural and soft power diplomacy in Kuwait. He organized several cultural events, business forums, and educational collaborations to enhance people-to-people connections. His leadership in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation left a lasting impact on India-Kuwait relations, cementing his reputation as a committed and effective envoy.

Academic Background

A Gold Medalist in both his undergraduate and postgraduate studies, Sibi George is also an alumnus of the American University in Cairo, where he pursued additional academic training that complemented his early diplomatic work in the region.

Role of Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs

As Secretary (West), Sibi George will assume responsibility for shaping and executing India’s foreign policy toward Europe, Central Asia, and its engagement with the United Nations and other multilateral institutions. The role also includes oversight of the External Publicity (XP) Division, which manages India’s global media outreach and public diplomacy.

This division was brought under the purview of Secretary (West) during a recent restructuring of the MEA.

Key responsibilities include leading diplomatic engagement and policy formulation with European and Central Asian nations; managing India’s participation in the United Nations and international organizations; and supervising the External Publicity Division, responsible for global media strategy and public diplomacy.

With his extensive experience in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, strategic postings, and administrative leadership, Sibi George is well-positioned to guide India’s foreign policy priorities across the Western geopolitical landscape.