Guwahati, Sept. 3 -- India has appointed Muanpuii Saiawi, its current High Commissioner to New Zealand, as the country's next High Commissioner to the Republic of Vanuatu, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on September 2.

A 2005-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Saiawi will be concurrently accredited to Vanuatu while continuing to reside in Wellington. She is expected to take up the new responsibility shortly.

The appointment comes as New Delhi seeks to strengthen its engagement with Pacific island countries. India and Vanuatu have expanded cooperation across several areas, including healthcare, education, infrastructure, digital development and climate resilience.

Bilateral engagement has also grown through the Foru...