India names Gautam Bambawale as new envoy to Pakistan

NEW DELHI (Web Desk) - Senior Indian diplomat Gautam Bambawale, who is currently serving as envoy to Bhutan, has been appointed as high commissioner to Pakistan, the External Affairs Ministry announced on Wednesday.

He will will replace T C A Raghavan, who is retiring at the end of this month.

"Bambawale is expected to take up his assignment shortly," the ministry said.

Significantly, Bambawale will take up his posting within days of the two countries deciding to re-engage under the "bilateral comprehensive dialogue".

The Foreign Secretaries of the two countries are also scheduled to meet next month to discuss modalities for the same.

Bambawale has served in Germany, China and the United States. In 2007, he became the first consul general of India in Guangzhou, China, Indian media reported.