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. This development marks a significant step in strengthening diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The first Indian diplomat arrived in the country after several years. Dr Mohd. Aleem has been appointed as the Charge d'Affaires (CdA) at the newly 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 considered an "important step" for the ties between the two countries. The embassy was "reopened" during a ceremony on Monday, 21st July, which was also attended by the Libyan side.

The Indian embassy in Tripoli has been closed since April 2019 due to the deteriorating security situation in Libya.

The Indian embassy in Tunisia had been accredited to Libya and managed matters concerning the Indian community in the country. With the reopening of the embassy in Tripoli, Libyan citizens will once again be able to obtain visas, and this move represents a positive development for the Indian community in Libya.

Earlier this year, Libya's Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, Mohamed Khalil Issa, visited India and met with key officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), including the Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan. Additionally, an Indian delegation visited Libya in August 2023.

Due to civil unrest in Libya, which has now receded, the Indian government imposed a travel ban on Indian nationals travelling to Libya in April 2016. This ban remains in effect, particularly due to 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.

Tabassum Mansoor, born in Gorakhpur, India, and the head of the Indian International School in Benghazi, has played a crucial role in evacuating and repatriating Indian nationals from Libya.

Image source: Wion