Appointment of UK non-resident Chargé d’Affaires to Iran
Mr Ajay Sharma has been appointed the UK’s non-resident Chargé d’Affaires to Iran.
Ajay Sharma
Mr Sharma will take up his appointment immediately.
On 8 October the Foreign Secretary announced that the UK and Iran had agreed to appoint non-resident Chargés d’Affaires as an important step towards improving the bilateral relationship. Mr Sharma’s appointment will enable the UK to have more detailed and regular discussions with Iran on a range of issues, including conditions under which our Embassies could eventually be reopened. Mr Sharma will be based in the UK but will travel regularly to Iran.
Mr Sharma has significant experience of Iran and the region. He is currently Head of Iran Department at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and served previously as Deputy Head of Mission in Tehran.
On his appointment, Mr Sharma said:
I am delighted to take up this appointment at this important time in the UK’s relations with Iran. I am very much looking forward to renewing direct UK contact with the Iranian Government and society.
This is very much in the interests of both our countries. I hope to make my first visit to Tehran as non-resident Chargé later this month.
| Personal details | |
|---|---|
| Full name: | Ajay Sharma |
| Period | Post |
|---|---|
| Oct 2012 – present | London, Head of Iran Department |
| Dec 2008 - Aug 2012 | Paris, Deputy Head of Mission |
| Jun 2007 - Dec 2008 | Tehran, Deputy Head of Mission |
| Jan 2005 - Mar 2007 | London, Deputy Head of Security Policy Department (EU Defence and NATO) |
| Sep 2003 - Jan 2005 | Ankara, Head of Political Section |
| Feb 2002 – Sep 2003 | Moscow, Head of Economic Section |
| Dec1997 - Dec 2000 | Ankara, Second Secretary Political |
Further information
Follow UK for Iranians on twitter @UKforIranians
Follow Ajay Sharma on twitter: @AjaySharmaFCO
Follow the Foreign Office on twitter @foreignoffice