In a key diplomatic move, India has appointed Puneet Agarwal as its Ambassador to Thailand. The announcement from the Ministry of External Affairs underscores New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening Southeast Asian partnerships.
The 1997-batch IFS officer, presently Additional Secretary at MEA, brings a wealth of experience. His portfolio includes spearheading India’s strategic interests in the Indian Ocean (2022-2025), serving as Deputy Permanent Representative in Geneva (2019-2022), and Consul General in Hong Kong (2016-2019). Earlier assignments covered Vienna, Thimphu, and Berlin.
An IIT Delhi electrical engineering alumnus, Agarwal is renowned for his acumen in multilateral negotiations on UN, WTO, and economic issues, alongside regional diplomacy in South Asia.
India-Thailand relations hit a new high with their strategic partnership formalized during PM Modi’s April 2025 Bangkok visit. This framework merges ‘Act East’ and ‘Act West’ policies, prioritizing trade, cultural ties, and infrastructure links.
Trade volumes for 2024-25 clocked $19.07 billion, revealing India’s trade imbalance: $4.18 billion in exports versus $14.26 billion imports. India ships out machinery, precious stones, and drugs, importing edible oils, gadgets, and plastics in return.
As Agarwal assumes charge soon, expectations are high for advancing economic collaboration, navigating trade deficits, and amplifying people-to-people connections. His tenure promises to navigate the dynamic geopolitical landscape with finesse.