The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday appointed former Election Commissioner Arun Goel as India’s Ambassador to Croatia, six months after he abruptly resigned from the Election Commission. In a statement, the ministry said: "Shri Arun Goel has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Croatia. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly." MEA sources confirmed that the new Ambassador was indeed the former EC, a retired IAS officer of the Punjab cadre. Goel’s appointment to the EC and his sudden resignation in March had created controversy. While serving as the secretary of the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries, Goel took voluntary retirement from the IAS on November 18, 2022. The next day he was appointed as an Election Commissioner. His appointment was challenged in the Supreme Court, which dismissed the plea in August 2023. Later, just days before the Lok Sabha elections were announced on March 16, Goel resigned on March 9. According to sources, he cited personal reasons to do so. Goel’s term in the Election Commission was till 2027, and would have seen him become the Chief Election Commissioner after the retirement of current CEC Rajiv Kumar in 2025. In his 37-year IAS career, Goel has held the post of Union Culture secretary, Delhi Development Authority vice-chairperson and several posts in the Punjab government. His profile on the EC website says: "As Secretary, Heavy Industries, he catalysed E-vehicle movement in India to a tipping point. He implemented Production Linked Incentive scheme for auto Industry in a record time getting investments worth Rs 67,690 crore against target of Rs 42,500 crore and PLI for Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage getting manufacturing set up for 98 GW against target of 50 GW." In Punjab, he oversaw the masterplan of New Chandigarh and implemented power reforms in the state.
