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{{Short description|High Commissioner of India to Namibia}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Rahul Shrivastava
| birth_name = Rahul Shrivastava
| honorific_suffix = [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]]
| honorific_prefix = [[His Excellency]]
| image = Rahul Shrivastava IFS.png
| caption = Rahul Shrivastava in 2022
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|01|30|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Chhattisgarh]], India
| spouse = Elena Shrivastava
| children = 2
| father =
| relatives =
| awards =
| office = [[List of ambassadors and high commissioners of India|High Commissioner of India to]] [[Namibia]]
| term_start = November 2024
| term_end =
| president = [[Droupadi Murmu]]
| prime_minister = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor = Mandarapu Subbarayudu
| successor =
| office1 = [[List of ambassadors of India to Romania|Ambassador of India to Romania]]
| term_start1 = July 2020
| term_end1 = October 2024
| president1 = [[Ram Nath Kovind]] [[Droupadi Murmu]]
| prime_minister1 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor1 = Thanglura Darlong
| successor1 = Manika Jain
| office2 = [[List of ambassadors and high commissioners of India|Ambassador of India to]] [[Venezuela]]
| term_start2 = July 2015
| term_end2 = March 2018
| president2 = [[Pranab Mukherjee]] [[Ram Nath Kovind]]
| prime_minister2 = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor2 =
| successor2 =
| alma_mater = [[Ravenshaw University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|B.Sc]]) [[National Institute of Technology, Rourkela|NIT Rourkela]] ([[Master of Science in Information Technology|MCA]]) [[Annamalai University]] ([[Master of Arts|M.A.]])
| occupation = {{hlist|Civil servant|[[diplomat]]|author}}
| blank1 = Rank
| data1 = [[Joint Secretary]]
| image_size = 220px
}}

'''Rahul Shrivastava''' is an [[Indian people|Indian]] [[diplomat]] from the 1999 batch of the [[Indian Foreign Service]] who is currently serving as the [[List of ambassadors and high commissioners of India|High Commissioner of India to]] [[Namibia]]. He previously served as the [[List of ambassadors and high commissioners of India|Ambassador of India to]] [[Romania]], [[Albania]], [[Moldova]] and [[Venezuela]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianmasterminds.com/news/ifs-foreign/senior-ifs-rahul-shrivastava-appointed-as-indian-ambassador-to-namibia-99873/|title=Senior IFS Rahul Shrivastava Appointed as Indian Ambassador to Namibia|website=Indian Masterminds|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Shrivastava was born on 30 January 1975 in the state of [[Chhattisgarh]], India. He spent his early years in [[Odisha]]. He did his schooling from St. Mary's Convent School, [[Biramitrapur]] and St. Mary's School, [[Barbil]]. Shrivastava holds a [[Bachelor of Science|B.Sc]] in [[Chemistry]] from [[Ravenshaw University]]. He later completed his [[Master of Science in Information Technology|MCA]] from [[National Institute of Technology, Rourkela|NIT Rourkela]] (formerly known as ''REC Rourkela'') in 1999. He subsequently cleared the [[Civil Services Examination|UPSC CSE]] exam in 1998, securing an All India Rank of 24. Shrivastava also holds a Master's degree in [[International Relations]] from [[Annamalai University]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2015/state-editions/chhattisgharia-rahul-shrivastava-is-ambassador-to-venezuela.html|title=Chhattisgharia Rahul Shrivastava is Ambassador to Venezuela|work=Daily Pioneer|date=2015|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

==Diplomatic career==
Shrivastava joined the [[Indian Foreign Service]] (IFS) in 1999. After completing the foundation course at the [[Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration|LBSNAA]] and the professional course at the [[Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service|FSI]] in 2000, he was posted to [[Moscow]], [[Russia]] as a Third Secretary at the [[Embassy of India, Moscow]]. During his tenure, he studied the [[Russian language]] at [[Moscow State University]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.eoibucharest.gov.in/docs/Amb_cv.pdf|title=Curriculum Vitae of Rahul Shrivastava|website=Embassy of India, Bucharest|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

In 2004, he was promoted to the position of Second Secretary and Representative of India in [[Astana|Nur-Sultan]], [[Kazakhstan]]. From 2006 to 2007, he served as First Secretary and Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of India in [[Almaty]], Kazakhstan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/discussion-held-on-potential-business-ties-between-india-and-kazakhstan/article68543205.ece|title=Discussion held on potential business ties between India and Kazakhstan|work=The Hindu|date=15 January 2025|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

In 2007, Shrivastava returned to the [[Ministry of External Affairs, India]] (MEA) in [[New Delhi]], where he served as Under-Secretary and Deputy Secretary in the Eurasia Division. He was the Desk Officer dealing with Russia. He also handled BRICS and RIC (Russia-India-China) cooperation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hciwindhoek.gov.in/hci-profile.php|title= CV of Mr. Rahul Shrivastava|website=High Commission of India, Windhoek|access-date=7 February 2025}}</ref>

From 2009 to 2013, he served as First Secretary and then as Counsellor at the [[High Commission of India, London|High Commission of India]] in [[London]], [[United Kingdom]]. His task at [[High Commission of India, London|High Commission of India]] included dealing with the [[Commonwealth of Nations]].

After his tenure in London, he was reassigned to Moscow, where he worked in the Political Wing and then in the Press, Information and Culture Wing at the Embassy of India, [[Moscow]].

From 2018 to 2020 he served as the [[Joint Secretary]] in the MEA. He was posted in [[Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service]] where his work primarily involved training of foreign diplomats at the Institute.<ref name=":0" />

===Ambassador to Venezuela===
In July 2015, Shrivastava was appointed as the Ambassador of India to [[Venezuela]], becoming the youngest Ambassador of India at the age of 40.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/25075/Rahul+Shrivastava+appointed+as+the+next+Ambassador+of+India+to+Bolivarian+Republic+of+Venezuela|title=Rahul Shrivastava appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela|website=Ministry of External Affairs, India|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://diplomacyindia.com/rahul-shrivastava-appointed-as-the-next-ambassador-of-india-to-bolivarian-republic-of-venezuela/|title=Rahul Shrivastava appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela|website=Diplomacy India|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

===Ambassador to Romania, Moldova & Albania===
In July 2020, Shrivastava was appointed as the Ambassador of India to [[Romania]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/32737/Shri+Rahul+Shrivastava+appointed+as+the+next+Ambassador+of+India+to+Romania|title=Rahul Shrivastava appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Romania|website=Ministry of External Affairs, India|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref> [[Moldova]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/32884/Shri_Rahul_Shrivastava_concurrently_accredited_as_the_next_Ambassador_of_India_to_the_Republic_of_Moldova| title= Rahul Shrivastava concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Moldova|website=Ministry of External Affairs, India|access-date=7 February 2025}}</ref> and [[Albania]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/33113/Shri+Rahul+Shrivastava+has+been+concurrently+accredited+as+the+next+Ambassador+of+India+to+the+Republic+of+Albania|title=Rahul Shrivastava accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Albania|website=Ministry of External Affairs, India|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

During the [[Russian Invasion of Ukraine|Russia-Ukraine conflict]] of 2022, under [[Operation Ganga]], over 8000 Indians were evacuated through Romania.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPX00uHHhjk|title=Rahul Shrivastava: Insights from a Diplomat|website=YouTube|date=26 February 2022 |access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/remember-this-day-whenever-envoy-s-address-to-india-bound-ukraine-students-101645873536949.html|title=Remember this day: Envoy's address to India-bound Ukraine students|work=Hindustan Times|date=15 March 2022|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://aninews.in/videos/world/indian-envoy-romania-interacts-evacuees-ukraine/|title=Indian envoy in Romania interacts with evacuees from Ukraine|website=ANI News|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref>

===High Commissioner to Namibia===
In November 2024, Shrivastava was appointed as the High Commissioner of India to [[Namibia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/38521/Shri+Rahul+Shrivastava+appointed+as+the+next+High+Commissioner+of+India+to+the+Republic+of+Namibia#:~:text=Ministry%20of%20External%20Affairs%20Government%20of%20India&text=Shri%20Rahul%20Shrivastava%20(IFS%3A%201999,to%20the%20Republic%20of%20Namibia.|title=Rahul Shrivastava appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Namibia|website=Ministry of External Affairs, India|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/rahul-shrivastava-appointed-as-next-high-commissioner-of-india-to-namibia20241114223907/|title=Rahul Shrivastava appointed as next High Commissioner of India to Namibia|work=ANI News|date=15 November 2024|access-date=15 January 2025}}</ref> During his tenure, India conducted a historic state visit to [[Namibia]] on 9 July 2025, when Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] arrived in [[Windhoek]] as the final stop of his five‑nation tour. The visit strengthened bilateral ties through talks with Namibian leadership on sectors such as [[diamonds]], [[critical minerals]], and [[uranium]], engagement with the Indian diaspora, and reaffirmation of the countries’ longstanding relationship.<ref>{{cite news |title=PM Modi Arrives In Namibia, Final Stop Of Five‑Nation Visit |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pm-narendra-modi-five-nation-tour-namibia-south-africa-news-latest-pm-modi-arrives-in-namibia-final-stop-of-five-nation-visit-8846867 |work=NDTV |date=9 July 2025 |access-date=4 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=PM Modi's visit to Namibia: Focus likely on diamonds, critical minerals; uranium talks also on agenda |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/pm-modis-visit-to-namibia-focus-likely-on-diamonds-critical-minerals-uranium-talks-also-on-agenda/articleshow/122173634.cms |work=The Times of India |date=2 July 2025 |access-date=4 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=PM Modi Namibia visit updates, July 9 2025 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-namibia-visit-updates-july-9-2025/article69790404.ece |work=The Hindu |date=9 July 2025 |access-date=4 March 2026}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Rahul Shrivastava is married to Elena. They have two children. He is the author of eight books.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1F9oS3FaFzsQfA47vagoc6FPaxL8XY51cC7rvxh-1p3E/htmlview|title=Books Written by Indian Diplomats|website=docs.google.com|access-date=7 February 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[India–Russia relations]]
* [[Indian Foreign Service]]
* [[List of diplomatic missions of India]]
* [[List of ambassadors and high commissioners of India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{commons}}

==External links==
* [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahul-shrivastava-a13a47142/?originalSubdomain=in Rahul Shrivastava on LinkedIn]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shrivastava, Rahul}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Ravenshaw University alumni]]
[[Category:Indian Foreign Service officers]]
[[Category:Indian diplomats]]
[[Category:National Institute of Technology, Rourkela]]

Rahul Shrivastava - Revision history

Vikidge: new new pg w/ infobox