What happened?
Aliwati Longkumer has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made this announcement on June 16, 2025. Longkumer is currently the Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of India in Asuncion, Paraguay, and is expected to take up the new assignment shortly. India and North Korea established consular relations in March 1962, and the Consulate General of India in North Korea was established in 1968. Diplomatic relations were formalized on December 10, 1973.
Why it matters to India
This appointment signifies India’s continued diplomatic engagement with North Korea, maintaining established bilateral ties characterized by friendship, cooperation, and understanding. While India has urged North Korea to refrain from nuclear and ballistic missile tests to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula, India also supports efforts for peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy. This diplomatic continuity is crucial for India’s foreign policy interests in the region, including its historical role in the Korean War and its appreciation for the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission’s work.