ISLAMABAD: Senior diplomat Sohail Mehmood has been appointed as new high commissioner (HC) of Pakistan in India. He will assume his diplomatic responsibilities by the end of May. According to Foreign Office officials, Mahmood is currently serving as Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkey. He will replace incumbent Abdul Basit in India by the end of this month. Indian High Commission in Islamabad has issued a visa to Mahmood. He has served in Pakistani diplomatic missions in Washington, New York, Ankara and Bangkok. Mahmood’s appointment comes at a time when bilateral ties are tense. His predecessor Abdul Basit was appointed in 2014.