The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of 1993 batch Sibi George will be the new amba-ssador of India to the Holy See, an announcement by the Ministry of External Affairs said here. He will replace Smita Purushottam.

Mr George is also presently Ambassador of India to Switzer-land. He will have his residence in Berne and is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

A native of Kottayam in Kerala, George has also served as deputy chief of mission of Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia and Iran. He has also worked in Egypt, Qatar, Pakistan and USA. He is also a recipient of S.K. Singh Award for excellence in IFS.