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Prior to this appointment, he was India’s Ambassador to Chad, representing India’s interests in Africa. With decades of experience in foreign service, he is expected to further strengthen India’s diplomatic relations with Libya.
New Ambassador to Libya (Image: Google)
New Delhi: India has appointed Dr. Hifzur Rahman as the new Ambassador to the State of Libya. Currently serving as India’s Ambassador to the Republic of Chad, Dr. Rahman is expected to take up his new assignment in Tripoli shortly, according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Who is Dr. Hifzur Rahman?
Dr. Hifzur Rahman has a distinguished career in Indian diplomacy. Prior to this appointment, he was India’s Ambassador to Chad, representing India’s interests in Africa. With decades of experience in foreign service, he is expected to further strengthen India’s diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations with Libya.
Dr. Hifzur Rahman appointed as the new Ambassador to Libya (Representative image)
India-Libya Relations: A Historical Overview
Although separated by geography, India and Libya share a long history of bilateral relations. India opened its diplomatic mission in Tripoli in 1969. One of the high points in Indo-Libya relations was the visit of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to Libya in 1984. Over the years, India has supported Libya in international forums, including welcoming the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1506 in 2003, which lifted sanctions imposed on Libya.
Earlier this year, in February 2025, India hosted the 1st India-Arab Universities’ Presidents’ Conference in New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. From Libya, Minister of Education Imran Muhamed Al-Qeeb delivered a special address. These initiatives reflect the growing cultural and educational exchange between India and Libya.
Economic and Industrial Ties
India and Libya have enjoyed close economic relations for decades. In 1978, the two countries signed a framework agreement on “Protocol on Industrial, Economic and Scientific Cooperation,” establishing the Indo-Libyan Joint Commission (ILJC). Indian companies have been active in Libya for over 30 years, participating in projects across a wide range of sectors.
Major Indian Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and private companies such as BHEL, NBCC, OVL, IOC, Oil India, Punj Lloyd, Unitech, KEC, SSB, Dastur Engineering, Shapoorji Pallonji, SECON, Global Steel (Ispat Group), NIIT, Sun Pharma, Simplex Projects, and DS Construction have executed projects in Libya. These include building hospitals, schools, housing, roads, power plants, airports, dams, and transmission lines.
Pan-African e-Governance and Technology Cooperation
As part of the Pan-African e-governance initiative, India set up a centre in Libya to provide telemedicine, tele-education, and e-governance services. The centre connects African nations to India through a satellite network. After political upheaval, reactivation of the centre is planned under the e-VBAB project once the security situation in Libya improves.
With Dr. Hifzur Rahman’s appointment, India aims to further strengthen diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with Libya. His experience and India’s long-standing partnership with Libya will be key in fostering collaboration in trade, education, technology, and governance initiatives.
