Diplomacy – India’s New Envoy Abhay Kumar Assumes Office in Azerbaijan
Diplomacy – India’s newly appointed Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Abhay Kumar, has formally taken charge in the capital city of Baku, marking the beginning of a new diplomatic chapter between the two countries. The Indian Embassy confirmed his arrival and assumption of duties through an official statement shared on Tuesday.
Formal Assumption of Duties in Baku
Abhay Kumar arrived in Azerbaijan earlier this week and immediately assumed his responsibilities as India’s top diplomatic representative in the country. The Embassy of India announced his joining through its official communication channels, noting that he has taken over as Ambassador (designate) with effect from his arrival in Baku.
His appointment comes at a time when bilateral engagement between India and Azerbaijan continues to expand across diplomatic, cultural, economic, and people-to-people domains.
Extensive Diplomatic Experience Across Continents
Kumar brings with him more than two decades of diplomatic experience within the Indian Foreign Service. A member of the 2003 batch, he has held several senior assignments across different regions, contributing to India’s diplomatic outreach in Latin America, Africa, Europe, and South Asia.
From 2019 to 2022, he served as India’s Ambassador to Madagascar and the Comoros, where he focused on strengthening India’s engagement with the Indian Ocean region. Prior to that, he worked as Deputy Chief of Mission in Brazil between 2016 and 2022, playing a key role in managing bilateral relations with one of Latin America’s largest economies.
Earlier in his career, Kumar was posted as First Secretary at the Indian missions in Kathmandu from 2012 to 2016 and in Russia from 2005 to 2010, gaining firsthand experience in regional diplomacy and multilateral coordination.
Role in Digital and Cultural Diplomacy
Beyond traditional diplomatic postings, Kumar has also contributed significantly to India’s public and cultural diplomacy initiatives. Between 2010 and 2012, he served as Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy, where he was instrumental in expanding India’s digital diplomatic presence and outreach efforts.
More recently, from 2022 to 2025, he held the position of Deputy Director General at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. During this tenure, he coordinated more than 300 cultural programmes worldwide as part of India’s G20 presidency, helping showcase India’s cultural heritage on a global platform.
Credentials Received Before Departure
Before departing for his new assignment, Kumar paid a courtesy call on President Droupadi Murmu and formally received his credentials. This customary interaction marked the official conclusion of his previous role and the commencement of his ambassadorial responsibilities in Azerbaijan.
He had earlier served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs and was officially appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Azerbaijan on December 30.
Growing Ties Between India and Azerbaijan
India and Azerbaijan share long-standing civilisational links, cultural affinities, and a mutual respect for diversity, according to official statements from the Indian Embassy. Over the years, bilateral cooperation has steadily expanded, particularly in areas such as tourism, energy, and connectivity.
Tourism figures highlight this growing engagement. In 2024, Azerbaijan welcomed 243,589 visitors from India, reflecting a 108 percent increase compared to 2023. During this period, India emerged as the third-largest source of inbound tourists to Azerbaijan, following Russia and Türkiye.
Connectivity and Energy Cooperation
Direct air connectivity has further strengthened people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. Currently, there are 14 direct flights operating weekly between India and Baku, with ten flights connecting Delhi and four linking Mumbai.
Energy cooperation remains another key pillar of the relationship. ONGC Videsh Limited has invested over 1.2 billion US dollars in acquiring stakes in the Azeri–Chirag–Gunashli oil and gas fields, as well as in the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline, underlining India’s long-term strategic and economic interests in the region.