Seasoned Indian diplomat G. Balasubramanian has been named as the next Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives, succeeding Munu Mahawar. The announcement was made by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Monday.
Balasubramanian, a 1998-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, currently serves as the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria. He is expected to assume his new role shortly, taking over from Mahawar, who has been in the post since November 2021.
Munu Mahawar’s tenure coincided with a challenging period in India-Maldives relations. Political tensions heightened during the 2023 presidential elections in the Maldives, as President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC) campaigned on an “India Out” platform. The party accused the former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration of signing secretive agreements with India that allegedly compromised Maldivian sovereignty and security.
Following his election, President Muizzu demanded the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives, fulfilling a key campaign promise. Relations between the two nations were further strained after controversial remarks made by three Maldivian deputy ministers about India and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Maldives’ Foreign Ministry promptly disassociated from these statements, leading to the suspension and eventual resignation of two deputy ministers.
Despite the turbulence, both nations have reiterated their commitment to maintaining and strengthening their longstanding ties. High-level visits and dialogues between New Delhi and Male’ have underscored efforts to rebuild trust and cooperation.
Balasubramanian brings a wealth of diplomatic experience to his new role. Over his career, he has held prominent positions in key missions, including Moscow, Washington DC, and Bangkok. Notably, he has served as Deputy Chief of Mission and India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
As he steps into this pivotal role, Balasubramanian is expected to work towards reinforcing the historical, cultural, and economic bonds between India and the Maldives during a critical period of bilateral relations.
