Former Indian Ambassador, Author, Toastmaster, Strategic Advisor and West Asia Analyst
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed
Ambassador Dr Ausaf Sayeed (b. September 18, 1963) is a seasoned Indian diplomat (IFS 1989 Batch) and strategic thinker who has served as Secretary (CPV and OIA) in the Ministry of External Affairs, as Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and as High Commissioner to Seychelles.
He also served as a diplomat in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Denmark, Yemen and Chicago. In India, he served as Joint Secretary (West Africa) in Delhi and as Regional Passport Officer in Hyderabad.
As Secretary (CPV & OIA), he was responsible for all matters relating to Consular, Passport, Visas, Overseas Emigration, and NRI & Overseas Indian Affairs, as well as affairs of GCC and WANA countries.
During his nearly 34 years of diplomatic service, Dr Sayeed has represented India’s interests in the political, economic, consular, and cultural realms and has fostered friendly relationships with nations around the world.
My Journey
Dr Ausaf Sayeed has handled various areas of work over his nearly 34 years of diplomatic service, including political, economic, consular, and cultural work, as well as Hajj management.
Dr Ausaf Sayeed holds a Master of Science and a PhD in Geology from Osmania University in Hyderabad, India, and an Advanced Diploma in Arabic from the American University in Cairo. He is a Competent Toastmaster (CTM) and recipient of Shri Y.G.K.Murthy Gold Medal from Osmania University, Hyderabad. The prestigious Yoga Mithra Award was also conferred on him by the S-Vyasa University for his efforts to promote Yoga in Saudi Arabia.
Delhi, India
Secretary (CPV & OIA)
Ministry of External Affairs
2022 – 2023
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Ambassador of India
2019 – 2022
Mahe, Seychelles
High Commissioner of India
2017 – 2019
Chicago, USA
Consul General of India
2013 – 2017
Sanaa, Yemen
Ambassador of India
2010 – 2013
Years in Service
Countries Worked in
Countries Visited
Photo Gallery
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed
Gandhi Jayanti in Riyadh
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi
With PM Modi and Swami Ishatmananda
With His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
With Crown Prince HRH Mohammad Bin Salman
With former President Pranab Mukherjee
With former President Ram Nath Kovind
With former President Smt. Pratibha Patil
With former President Danny Faure of Seychelles
With Vice-President Vincent Meriton of Seychelles
Dalai_Lama
With HRH Prince AdbulAziz Bin Salman
With Saudi Foreign Minister HH Faisal Bin Farhan
Republic Day Celebrations in Riyadh, 2020
Independence Day Celebrations 2016, Chicago
My Publications
Indian Art & Culture – Time & Tradition
Indian Art & Culture
Trends In Indian Culture And Heritage
Trends in Objective Geology
Kulliyat-e-Awaz Sayeed
Latest Blogs and Articles
Delhi-Doha Agreement looks beyond energy trade
The India-Qatar relationship has evolved into a multifaceted strategic partnership encompassing security and defence cooperation, health care and education. The India-Qatar relationship illustrates how countries can overcome crises and challenges through pragmatic diplomacy, economic interdependence, and strategic patience.
Truce to Peace, the Challenge in Gaza
After fifteen months of devastating conflict, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal that aims to stop violence in Gaza and facilitate the release of hostages. The agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, marks a significant turning point in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and raises hopes for lasting peace in the Middle East.
Changing Contours of India’s Relationship with the Gulf Countries
The changing geopolitical landscape, marked by a perceived US rebalancing, Russia’s setbacks in Syria, and a weakened Iran juxtaposed with a strengthened Israel, offers new opportunities for a stronger India-GCC strategic partnership to play a more proactive role in regional stability.
Arab Spring in Syria marks a Power Shift
The collapse of the Assad regime has far-reaching consequences. There is genuine fear that Syria could become a safe haven for extremist groups. The collapse of Assad’s regime represents a seismic shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics with far-reaching consequences. It significantly affected Russia and Iran’s influence in the region, severely weakening and disrupting Iran’s “Axis of Resistance.”
The Middle East Needs a Healing Touch
Interestingly, foreign policy issues, predominantly the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East involving Israel and Iran and its proxies—Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis—played a significant role in shaping the outcome of the US presidential elections, especially in close races. Trump actively courted the Arab and Muslim voters, mainly in Michigan, through personal community interactions, projecting himself as a ‘peacemaker’ and promising to end the war in Gaza.
Arabs of Indian Origin – A Forgotten Diaspora
In the mid-19th century, several Indian Muslim scholars and political leaders fled to the Hejaz region to escape British persecution for their participation in the 1857 revolt, often referred to as the ‘First War of Independence.’ Common surnames among people of Indian origin in Saudi Arabia include Al-Hindi / Al-Hind, Dehlavi, Malabari, Siddique, Kidwai, Faruqi, and Surati. While many non-resident Indians (NRIs) from Gulf countries have regularly received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award, only a handful of Arab nationals of Indian origin have been honoured with it.
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