East Asia Policy Expert to Lead Mission in Seoul; Known for Key Role in Ladakh Standoff Talks
Seasoned Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer Gourangalal Das has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Wednesday.
A 1999-batch IFS officer, Das currently serves as Joint Secretary heading the East Asia Division in the MEA — a pivotal post given the shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. The MEA confirmed that he is expected to assume his new assignment in Seoul shortly.
Key Role in India-China Negotiations Amid Ladakh Standoff
In his present role, Das has been deeply engaged in the ongoing dialogue between India and China to resolve the protracted standoff in Eastern Ladakh, which has strained bilateral relations since mid-2020. His strategic foresight and deft diplomacy have been instrumental in shaping India’s calibrated approach towards its northern neighbor.
A Distinguished Diplomatic Career Across U.S., China, and Taiwan
Das brings to his new role a wealth of experience in handling some of India’s most sensitive foreign policy challenges. His previous assignments include:
Director General, India-Taipei Association — where he significantly strengthened India’s relations with Taiwan.
Joint Secretary (Americas), MEA — overseeing India’s strategic partnership with the United States.
Counsellor (Political), Embassy of India, Washington, D.C. — managing key aspects of Indo-U.S. relations.
Various roles at the Indian Mission in Beijing — where he developed deep expertise on China.
Deputy Secretary, External Affairs, PMO — during the tenure of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Das also played a crucial role in establishing the Government of India’s internal China think tank, providing vital policy frameworks and insights on East Asia.
Academic Brilliance and Personal Life
Born in Barpeta, Assam, Gourangalal Das is widely admired for both his intellectual rigor and professional accomplishments. Despite losing his father, Motilal Das — former chairman of the Barpeta Municipality Board — during his school years, he excelled academically:
Topped HSLC examinations in 1991.
Secured 2nd Rank in HS Science Stream in 1993.
Graduated with Honours in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi.
Completed a postgraduate degree in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics.
He is married to Harsha Das, a senior officer in the Delhi Government and daughter of a railway official from Jharkhand. The couple has two children — a son in Class X and a daughter in Class V, both studying in Delhi. His brother, Hemanga Lal Das, is an engineer with Facebook in California.
