T.S.Trimurti: the next Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

The government has appointed T.S. Tirumurti as the next Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations. He succeeds Syed Akbaruddin, who is retiring. His appointment to the UN will come at an important time when India is on the UN Security Council for a two-year term in 2021-2022. A 1985 batch officer, Mr. Tirumurti was High Commissioner in Malaysia, Deputy Head of Mission in Indonesia and first Indian representative in Palestine, based in Ramallah from 1996 to 1998. During several stays at the headquarters of the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi, he was co-secretary of neighboring countries, and then managed the United Nations portfolio (economic and social). Since 2018, he has been Secretary for Economic Relations, responsible for India’s multilateral and bilateral trade relations.

The announcement came amid a host of other nominations announced for envoys to Austria, Qatar and Bahrain, while other ambassadorial posts in the UK, Finland, Switzerland, Italy , Singapore, the EU / Belgium and the Philippines are expected shortly. This is the third major batch of appointments since January this year when the new Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla took office, and appointments to the United States, France, Nepal and Sri Lanka have been made. The decision to resume work may be delayed due to foreclosure and travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the other appointments announced on Wednesday, India’s Ambassador to the Philippines Jaideep Mazumdar will be posted to Austria, while three joint secretaries will be posted to Slovenia, Qatar and Bahrain.