New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced two diplomatic appointments, naming senior diplomat Vipul (IFS: 1998), India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as the next Ambassador to Yemen, and Ravi Shankar Goel (IFS: 2009), currently serving as Consul General of India in Medan, Indonesia, as the next Ambassador to Suriname.
The MEA announced Vipul’s appointment on Friday, October 16, 2026, while Goel’s appointment was announced a day earlier, on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Vipul has been concurrently accredited as India’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Yemen, with residence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is expected to take up the additional assignment shortly while continuing to be based in Riyadh.
Vipul assumed charge as India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia on August 12, 2026. Before this appointment, he served as India’s Ambassador to Qatar from August 2023 to July 2026. He has also served as Joint Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs and as Consul General of India in Dubai. His diplomatic experience includes assignments in Cairo, Colombo, Geneva, Dubai and Doha.
Meanwhile, Ravi Shankar Goel has been appointed India’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Suriname. At present, he is serving as Consul General at the Consulate General of India in Medan, Indonesia. He is expected to take up his new assignment shortly.
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