What happened?
On 17 September 2025, senior diplomat Gourangalal Das was appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Korea. Das, a 1999-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, is currently serving as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs and is expected to take up his new assignment in Seoul shortly. At present, Amit Kumar serves as India’s Ambassador to South Korea.
Why it matters to India
India and South Korea established diplomatic relations on 10 December 1973, while consular ties were set up in 1962. The relationship was elevated to a “Strategic Partnership” in 2010 and further upgraded to a “Special Strategic Partnership” during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Seoul in 2015. In 2023, both nations commemorated 50 years of diplomatic relations. Das’s appointment strengthens India’s diplomatic presence in Seoul and supports deeper political, economic, and strategic engagement with South Korea, enhancing bilateral cooperation at a time of growing regional and global importance.