The All India Steering Committee presents a commemorative plaque to Ambassador Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan
Riyadh: The Indian expatriate community in Saudi Arabia held a farewell ceremony for outgoing Indian Ambassador Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan, who is returning to the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi after completing his tenure in the Kingdom.
The event was organised by the All India Steering Committee and held on Friday evening at Holiday Inn Al Qasr Hotel in Olaya, Riyadh.
Community leaders, social workers, representatives of voluntary groups and regional associations from different Indian states attended the gathering to honour the ambassador.
In his farewell address, Dr Khan thanked the Indian community for its support and appreciation during his tenure. He praised the volunteer work carried out by Indian expatriates in Saudi Arabia and their efforts to promote Indian culture in the Kingdom.
He also highlighted the role of the diaspora in strengthening India-Saudi Arabia relations and commended the Indian business community for its contribution to deepening economic and commercial ties between the two countries.
Dr Khan assured community members that the Indian Embassy would continue to support the welfare of Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia.
Deputy Chief of Mission Abu Mathen George and All India Steering Committee members Shihab Kottukad, Niyas Ahmed, Misbahul Arifeen, K.M. Kanakalal, Mohammed Mubeen, Revel Antony, Mohammed Jabbar, Ghulam Khan, Santhosh Shetty and Anwar Khurshid were among those who addressed or attended the event.
The program began with a welcome address by convenor Mohammed Saigham Khan and concluded with a vote of thanks by Abdul Ahad Siddiqui. Inamullah Baig anchored the ceremony, while Ahmed Imtiaz and Saleem Mahi invited dignitaries and organisation representatives to the stage to honour the ambassador.
A commemorative plaque was also presented to Dr Khan by the All India Steering Committee. The ceremony concluded with dinner.
Dr Khan, a 1997-batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service, assumed charge as Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia on January 16, 2023. During his tenure, he was widely seen as an accessible diplomat who engaged closely with the expatriate community and intervened in issues affecting Indian residents.
He is expected to leave Riyadh by the end of this month.
Vipul, currently India’s Ambassador to Qatar, has been appointed as his successor in Saudi Arabia and is expected to assume charge in Riyadh by mid-August.