Hansraj Singh Verma appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Cuba

Key Facts

• Hansraj Singh Verma is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 2008 batch.
• Currently, he is the Consul General of India at the Consulate General of India in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
• He has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba.
• The appointment was announced by the Ministry of External Affairs on 18 September 2026.
• He is expected to take up his new assignment shortly in Havana, Cuba's capital.
• The outgoing Ambassador to Cuba is T Armstrong Changsan, an IFS officer of the 1997 batch, who has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Armenia.
• India and Cuba maintain diplomatic relations since 1959; India was among the first countries to recognize the new Cuban government after the revolution.

Background & Context

India and Cuba have enjoyed warm and friendly bilateral relations since 1959. The Indian Embassy in Havana manages India’s diplomatic presence in Cuba. The Indian Foreign Service functions under the Ministry of External Affairs, overseeing India’s diplomatic missions abroad. Hansraj Singh Verma has served in varied diplomatic roles worldwide, including previous postings in Buenos Aires, Paris, Maputo, and Frankfurt, along with important roles in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.

Why This Matters for Exams

Appointments of Indian diplomats like Hansraj Singh Verma as Ambassador to Cuba are relevant for general studies and current affairs sections of competitive exams. These appointments highlight India’s diplomatic outreach and ongoing bilateral relationships, key for understanding India’s foreign policy and global presence.

Points to Remember

• Hansraj Singh Verma belongs to the 2008 batch of the Indian Foreign Service.
• He is the incoming Ambassador to Cuba, expected to take charge in Havana shortly.
• India-Cuba diplomatic relations date back to 1959, reflecting long-standing ties.
• T Armstrong Changsan, the outgoing Ambassador to Cuba, is appointed Ambassador to Armenia.
• The Ministry of External Affairs is responsible for such diplomatic appointments.

Practice MCQs

Question 1

1. Hansraj Singh Verma belongs to which batch of the Indian Foreign Service?
2. 2008
3. 2010
4. 2012
5. 2005

Answer: 2008

Question 2

1. To which country has Hansraj Singh Verma been appointed as India’s Ambassador?
2. Brazil
3. Cuba
4. Armenia
5. India

Answer: Cuba

Question 3

1. In which year did India and Cuba establish diplomatic relations?
2. 1950
3. 1959
4. 1965
5. 1972

Answer: 1959