Indian-origin diplomat appointed UK's ambassador to Qatar

LONDON: Ajay Sharma, an Indian-origin diplomat, will be the new British Ambassador to Qatar.

Sharma, currently the charge d'affaires to Iran, will take up his new assignment in November, an official release said.

He will succeed Nicholas Hopton, who will be transferred to another post, according to a release on UK government's website.

Sharma has earlier served as the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Head of Iran department and non-resident chargé d'affaires to Iran.

Britain had reopened its embassy in Iran in August this year, four years after it was stormed and ransacked in November 2011 by activists angry over Britain imposing sanctions on Iran.

Sharma has earlier served in different capacities in Turkey, Russia and France among other countries, according to the information available on UK government's website.