India’s diplomatic landscape sees another seasoned hand taking charge. Naghma Mohammad Mallik, from the 1991 IFS batch, is set to become the country’s Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Republic, succeeding her current position as Ambassador to Japan effective 2025.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Mallik will assume duties shortly. Nestled in the vast central Pacific, the Marshall Islands form part of Micronesia, strategically located between Hawaii and Australia—a key player in regional maritime security.
Educated at St. Stephen’s College with a degree in English Literature and a Master’s in Sociology from Delhi School of Economics, Mallik’s linguistic prowess includes English, French, Hindi, Urdu, and Malayalam, aiding her in diverse postings.
Kicking off in Paris at the Indian Embassy and UNESCO Mission, her career trajectory included pivotal roles in New Delhi: Desk Officer in West Europe, staffer in PM I.K. Gujral’s office, and trailblazing as the first female Deputy Chief of Protocol.
Overseas assignments followed: First Secretary in Nepal, Counsellor in Sri Lanka, Spokesperson and Director (Eurasia) in MEA, Deputy Chief of Mission in Thailand. She capably led as Ambassador to Tunisia and High Commissioner to Brunei, while domestically steering Policy Planning and Africa divisions.
From Poland’s embassy helm to Japan’s diplomatic forefront, and now to the Pacific atolls, Mallik’s career spans continents and crises. Hailing from a Kerala-rooted family in Delhi, her story is one of relentless ascent in international service.
As India eyes deeper Pacific engagement, Mallik’s expertise promises robust representation, fostering trade, security, and cultural exchanges in this vital oceanic domain.