Shri Bandaru Wilsonbabu IFS (2004) presently Ambassador to Madagascar has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Turkmenistan.
Shri Bandaru Wilsonbabu, a distinguished officer of the 2004 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), has recently been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Turkmenistan. Presently serving as the Ambassador of India to Madagascar and Comoros, Shri Wilsonbabu brings with him close to two decades of rich diplomatic experience, marked by dedication, professionalism, and a consistent commitment to advancing India’s strategic, cultural, and economic interests on the global stage.
A graduate in Engineering, Shri Wilsonbabu entered the Indian Foreign Service in 2004. Since then, his career has reflected the hallmarks of excellence and perseverance that define India’s diplomatic corps. His varied postings across multiple countries and within the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have helped him build expertise in bilateral relations, multilateral diplomacy, cultural exchanges, and international cooperation.
Shri Wilsonbabu began his foreign service journey as Third Secretary at the Embassy of India in Moscow (Russia) between 2006 and 2007. This initial posting provided him with an opportunity to understand India’s vital relationship with Russia, a long-standing partner in strategic and defense cooperation. His keen ability to adapt to diverse environments and his strong linguistic skills, including proficiency in Russian, played an important role in his effective performance during this tenure.
In 2007, he was posted as Second Secretary at the Embassy of India in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where he served until 2010. This period proved crucial in strengthening India’s engagement with Central Asia, particularly in the context of regional security and developmental partnerships. His contribution to nurturing bilateral ties in Tajikistan demonstrated his growing capacity to handle complex diplomatic responsibilities.
On returning to India, Shri Wilsonbabu served as Under Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (2010–2012), where he was involved in policy-making and the coordination of important diplomatic initiatives. This was followed by his posting as First Secretary/Director at the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre in Moscow (2012–2014), where he actively promoted Indian culture, heritage, and people-to-people ties in Russia. His efforts in cultural diplomacy helped strengthen India’s soft power projection abroad.
Between 2014 and 2016, he served as Deputy Secretary at the MEA, New Delhi, a role that enabled him to contribute to core administrative and policy frameworks of India’s external relations. His competence in managing sensitive issues further enhanced his professional standing.
A significant milestone in his career came during his posting as Counsellor at the Embassy of India in Beijing, China, and as the Permanent Representative of India to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Secretariat (2016–2020). This tenure was of great strategic importance, given India’s deepening engagement with China and the SCO. Shri Wilsonbabu’s work at this stage reflected a fine balance of diplomacy, negotiation, and representation of India’s long-term interests in a complex geopolitical environment.
Following this, from 2020 to 2022, he served as Director/Joint Secretary in the MEA, New Delhi, contributing to high-level policy initiatives and representing India’s foreign policy priorities in critical domains.
In October 2022, Shri Wilsonbabu was appointed as the Ambassador of India to Madagascar and Comoros, where he continues to serve with distinction. His tenure has witnessed the strengthening of India’s outreach to Africa and the Indian Ocean Region, particularly in areas of development cooperation, maritime security, cultural ties, and capacity building. His approachable leadership style and clarity of vision have been appreciated in furthering India’s relations with these nations.
Shri Wilsonbabu is known for his ability to build strong professional relationships while upholding the values of humility and dedication. He is multilingual, fluent in Telugu, Hindi, English, and Russian, which has enabled him to connect with diverse communities during his diplomatic assignments.
Beyond his professional life, he is a devoted family man. He is married and blessed with three children, balancing his demanding career with personal commitments in an admirable manner.
INdianBureaucracy.com wishes Shri Bandaru Wilsonbabu the very best.