India appoints ambassador to North Korea after 4 years

India has appointed Aliawati Longkumer as its next ambassador to North Korea, marking a step in re-establishing diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang after a four-year hiatus.

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Longkumer, a 2008-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, is currently serving as the Charge d’affaires at the Indian Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay. He is expected to assume charge in Pyongyang shortly, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement issued on Monday.

India reopened its embassy in Pyongyang in December 2024, nearly four years after it was shut down in July 2021 amid pandemic-related disruptions. Atul Malhari Gotsurve was the last ambassador posted in North Korea before the closure. Ahead of resuming operations, New Delhi undertook security assessments and anti-surveillance measures.

India halted all trade with North Korea in 2017 to comply with UN sanctions but did not sever diplomatic ties. The relationship is underpinned by strategic concerns, particularly Pyongyang’s historical support to Pakistan’s missile development programme.

Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh made a visit in 2018. India has also provided humanitarian assistance to North Korea, including food and medical aid, and offered training to its diplomats and scientists. North Korea has a dependence on China.