Shri Devesh Uttam has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the transition as part of regular diplomatic rotation, with Uttam slated to assume his post in Addis Ababa shortly. He will be replacing Ambassador Anil Kumar Rai, who has represented Indian interests in Ethiopia and served as the Permanent Representative to the African Union since February 2024.
A seasoned diplomat, Shri Devesh Uttam joined the prestigious Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 2003. Throughout his two-decade diplomatic career, he has accumulated extensive bilateral and multilateral experience across various international postings. Prior to this assignment, Uttam served as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Lithuania, where he worked to strengthen trade links and political relations between New Delhi and Vilnius.
The diplomatic handover comes at a crucial time as India and Ethiopia continue to deepen their economic, educational, and developmental partnerships. As the political capital of Africa, Addis Ababa remains a strategic hub for Indian diplomacy on the continent. In addition to bilateral responsibilities, Uttam is expected to build upon India’s institutional engagement with the African Union headquarters, expanding collaborative initiatives in capacity building, technology transfer, and digital infrastructure.
Incoming leadership will focus on sustaining trade growth and addressing shared global challenges. India remains one of Ethiopia’s largest foreign investors, with investments spanning manufacturing, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and information technology. Former Ambassador Anil Kumar Rai leaves behind a legacy of reinforced institutional ties, providing a strong foundation for Uttam to further advance strategic cooperation between the two nations.
As Uttam prepares to present his credentials to Ethiopian authorities, officials from both nations anticipate a smooth transition. The appointment underscores New Delhi’s continued commitment to prioritizing its historical ties with Horn of Africa nations and maintaining strong diplomatic continuity across the Global South.
#IndiaEthiopia #Diplomacy #IndiaInAfrica #ForeignAffairs #AddisAbaba #GlobalSouth #DiplomaticNews