The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced on Sunday (June 11) that Dr Shilpak N Ambule, who is currently the MEA's Joint Secretary, has been appointed as India's next High Commissioner to the Republic of Singapore. He has been in charge of the Ministry of External Affairs' East Asia Division, which includes China, and is said to be External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's main aide. Dr Ambule's appointment comes at a time when India and Singapore are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations. The two countries have close economic, political, and cultural ties.


Dr Ambule is a career diplomat with over 25 years of MEA experience. He has worked for the MEA in a variety of capacities, including as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC and as Consul General in Melbourne. Dr Ambule is a graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, as well as the Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. 



According to Business Times, Dr. Ambule, a 2002 batch IFS officer, has worked for Jaishankar since he was Foreign Secretary. Ambule, who is fluent in Chinese, is expected to do well in Chinese-dominated Singapore.


After a successful stint in Singapore, his predecessor P Kumaran will return to South Block as a Secretary. 


READ | EAM Jaishankar's Visit To South Africa, Namibia Cemented India's Strong Bonds With These Countries: MEA


India is Singapore's sixth largest trading partner, while Singapore is India's 12th largest trading partner, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation. In 2021-22, bilateral trade between the two countries was worth $30.11 billion. Singapore is also India's eighth largest source of investment and the largest among ASEAN member countries.


India and Singapore have close political ties. The two countries have a Strategic Partnership, which was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2015. The two countries cooperate on a wide range of issues, including security, trade, and education, it said.  India and Singapore share strong cultural affinities. Singapore has a sizable Indian community, and there is a strong interest in Indian culture and language.