New Delhi, Aug. 17 -- Ajay A Kumar, Joint Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry, has been appointed India's next Ambassador to Iraq.

He is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

"Ajay A Kumar (IFS: 2001), presently Joint Secretary in the Ministry, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Iraq," MEA said in a release.

India and Iraq have historical and civilizational ties and have seen sustained high-level political exchanges.

The people-to-people and institutional contacts have resulted in India becoming one of the most preferred destinations for Iraqis seeking quality medical treatment. More than 10,000 Iraqi students obtained their PhD, Master's, and undergraduate degrees in India.

On the fron...