Ambassador Gopal Baglay

Ambassador Gopal Baglay joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1992 and retired at the level of Secretary to Government of India in January 2026.

Ambassador Baglay was the High Commissioner of India to Australia from 2024-26 and to Sri Lanka from 2020 to 2023. His other diplomatic assignments abroad have been to Ukraine, Russia, the United Kingdom, Nepal and Pakistan (as Deputy High Commissioner).

He served in the office of the Prime Minister of India as Joint Secretary from 2017-’20. At the Headquarters of the Ministry of External Affairs, he was its Spokesperson and held various other positions related to India’s ties with her neighbours, Europe and multilateral organisations.

Ambassador Baglay learnt Ukrainian in his first assignment abroad and speaks Russian.

 He holds a Master’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Lucknow.

 His interests include yoga, hiking, mind training, and ways of harmonious and sustainable living. He likes to study religions and learn about cultures.

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