Israel approves Reuven Azar as new ambassador to India; Non-resident roles for Sri Lanka and Bhutan

The Israeli government has officially sanctioned the appointment of Reuven Azar as the new Ambassador to India, with additional responsibilities as the non-resident Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Bhutan. A statement from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Azar's approval, along with 20 other Heads of Missions, to assume their roles soon.

Currently serving as the Ambassador of Israel to Romania, Azar, in his late 50s, brings extensive diplomatic experience, having previously held key positions, including Head of the Israel-US-China internal task force and Deputy National Security Advisor for Foreign Policy. His appointment follows the tenure of Naor Gilon, who served as the Israeli ambassador to India since 2021.

Reuven Azar's diplomatic career spans almost three decades, marked by roles such as Deputy Ambassador in Washington, Head of Middle East Research, and Head of the Economic and Trade Department in Cairo. Born in Argentina in 1967, Azar immigrated to Israel at the age of 13 and served in a paratroopers battalion of the Israeli Defence Forces.

His educational background includes graduate and post-graduate degrees in International Relations from the Hebrew University. The approval of Azar's appointment underscores Israel's commitment to enhancing diplomatic ties with India and its proactive approach to strengthen relationships in the South Asian region.