India 'reopens' embassy in Libya after five years
Picture courtesy: Libyan foreign ministry
After a gap of five years, India has "reopened" its embassy in Tripoli,Libya's foreign ministry led by its Government of National Unity (GNU)announced in a statement. The development marks a significant step in enhancing diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The first Indian diplomat has reached the country after a gap of several years. DrMohd. Aleem has been appointed as the Charge d'Affaires (CdA) at the reopened Indian Embassy in Tripoli. Previously, Dr Aleem served as the Under Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) West Asia & North Africa Division (WANA).
According to a statement from the GNU, the embassy's reopening is viewed as an "important step" for the ties between the two countries. Theembassy was "reopened" following aceremony on Monday (Jul 21), attended by the Libyan side as well.
The Indian embassy in Tripoli hadbeen closed since April 2019 due to the deteriorating security situation in Libya.
The Indian embassy in Tunisia was accredited to Libya and dealt with the situation regarding the Indian community in the country. With its reopening, Libyan citizens will once again be able to obtain visas. The opening of the embassy alsorepresents a positive development for the Indian community in the country.
Earlier this year, Libya's Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, Mohamed Khalil Issa, visited India and met with key MEA officials, including Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan.
An Indian delegation also visited Libya in August 2023.
Due to now-receded civil unrest in Libya, the Indian government imposed a travel ban on Indian nationals travelling to Libya in April 2016. This ban remains in effect, especially given the reports of abductions of Indian workers in the country.
In September 2020, seven Indian workers were kidnapped while travelling from Benghazi to Tripoli, and in February 2022, 27 Indian workers were evacuated from Benghazi in Eastern Libya.
Born in the Indian city ofGorakhpur,Tabassum Mansoor, who runs the Indian International School in Benghazi, has played a crucial role in the evacuation and repatriation of Indian nationals from Libya.