Mohammed Saifuddin, Yahind News
Riyadh | September 30, 2026 – Mr. Basir Ahmed, a career diplomat of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) 2009 batch, has assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Embassy of India, Riyadh.
Mr. Ahmed brings over 17 years of extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy and bilateral engagement, particularly in Southeast Asia and global governance institutions.
Prior to his assignment in Riyadh, he served as Joint Secretary (Multilateral Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, where he played a key role in handling India’s Chairship of BRICS 2026 and the Leaders Summit, which resulted in the New Delhi Declaration 2026. He also handled the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Heads of Security Agencies Meeting, and work pertaining to multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, New Development Bank (NDB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
His earlier diplomatic assignments include:
- Deputy Chief of Mission, Jakarta (July 2021 – July 2024) where he significantly strengthened India-Indonesia bilateral relations
- First Secretary / Minister at Permanent Mission of India, Geneva (2018-2021) working on multilateral diplomacy and global telecom standards
- Under Secretary, UN Political Division, MEA, New Delhi (2016-2018)
- Consul General in Medan, Indonesia (2012-2016) – becoming one of the youngest officers to hold this position, where he played a key role in the strategic Sabang Port project
He is noted for his contributions to initiatives such as Vaccine Maitri during the COVID-19 pandemic, establishment of a Telemetry, Tracking and Command Centre in Indonesia, initiation of the first India-Indonesia Security Dialogue, and overseeing two visits by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India to Indonesia within six months.
The Indian community in Saudi Arabia has welcomed his appointment, expecting further strengthening of India-Saudi strategic partnership under his tenure.
