Anurag Bhushan Appointed as India’s Ambassador to Sweden

India has appointed Anurag Bhushan, a seasoned Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 1995 batch, as the next Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden. The appointment signals India’s strategic commitment to strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with Sweden—a key partner in areas like clean energy, technology, and sustainable development.

Why in News?

On May 15, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) officially announced the appointment of Anurag Bhushan as India’s Ambassador to Sweden. His posting comes at a time when India-Sweden ties are witnessing significant growth, particularly in innovation, climate action, and trade, making the appointment geopolitically significant.

Background: India-Sweden Relations

• Ties rooted in shared democratic values and mutual interests.
• Bilateral cooperation spans digital tech, R&D, clean energy, climate change, and sustainable growth.
• LeadIT 2.0, launched at COP28 (Dubai, 2023), is a joint India-Sweden platform on low-carbon industrial transition.

Diplomatic Timeline

• 11 head-of-state interactions since 2014.
• 8 at Prime Ministerial level (e.g., New York 2015, Stockholm 2018, Glasgow 2021, COP28 Dubai 2023).
• President Pranab Mukherjee visited Sweden in 2015.
• Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf visited India in 2019.

About Anurag Bhushan

• Indian Foreign Service (1995 batch).
• Currently serves as Additional Secretary in the MEA.
• Expected to take up his role in Stockholm shortly after diplomatic formalities.

Strategic Role and Objectives

• Promote India’s interests in Northern Europe.
• Strengthen bilateral trade, innovation partnerships, and climate diplomacy.
• Facilitate institutional collaborations on clean tech and sustainable development.