In the conversation following the presentation of credentials, Ambassador Karelsohn and President Murmu discussed opportunities for advancing relations between Estonia and India. “Despite the geographical distance, we have identified several areas of cooperation of mutual interest with India, ranging from artificial intelligence, information technology and cybersecurity to education and culture. India is one of Estonia’s priority countries for business diplomacy,” Karelsohn said.
Ambassador Karelsohn noted that India is a rising global power and a leading voice for Global South, with whom we need to continue dialogue and cooperation at all levels. Both countries highly value the rules-based international order and international law. „A significant boost to economic relations will come from the European Union-India Free Trade Agreement, which is expected to be signed in the near future. This is a development of significant geopolitical importance that will strengthen ties between the European Union and India and open new opportunities for Estonian companies as well,” the Ambassador said.
Ambassador Kristi Karelsohn graduated from the University of Tartu with a degree in Estonian philology in 1993 and from the Estonian School of Diplomacy in 1994. The same year, Karelsohn joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she has worked in the State Protocol Department, the External Economic Policy Department and the International Organisations Division of the Policy Department. She has also served as an economic diplomat at the embassies in Riga and Helsinki. From 2010 to 2014, she was Director of the Trade Policy and International Economic Organisations Division of the Department for External Economic and Development Cooperation. Karelsohn has also served as Estonia’s Ambassador to Ireland, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. From August 2022 to August 2026, Karelsohn served as Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Asia, Pacific Region, Middle East and Africa Department. In addition to the Republic of India, Karelsohn, who resides in New Delhi, has been appointed Estonia’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
