New Delhi: IFS officer Shambhu S Kumaran, from the 1995 batch, has been appointed as India’s Ambassador to Austria. Currently serving as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of the Philippines, Kumaran is expected to assume his new role shortly.
Kumaran’s international postings include stints in Frankfurt and Berlin (1997-2002), Kathmandu as a Political Counsellor (2007-2009), and as Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa (2009-2012).
At headquarters, he served as the Deputy Secretary (West Europe Division) from 2002-2004, where he handled relations with the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, and the Commonwealth and was an Officer on Special Duty (Press Relations) in the External Publicity Division from 2004-2007.
His tenure from 2012-2016 saw him in roles including Director (East Asia/China), Joint Secretary (Establishment), and Joint Secretary (Eurasia) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He was on deputation to the Ministry of Defence from January 2016 to May 2019, serving as Joint Secretary (Planning and International Cooperation).
Prior to his current appointment, Kumaran served as the Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Morocco from June 2019 to July 2020.
Educationally, Kumaran holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Kerala University, along with an MA in International Studies and a Master of Philosophy in Diplomatic Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
