Career diplomat Patrick Suckling has been appointed as Australia's next high commissioner to India. Suckling will take up the post in New Delhi next month, according to media reports.

The appointment was announced by foreign minister Bob Carr who said the role was important because India is Australia's fourth largest export market, with trade between the two countries reaching 18-billion dollars a year.

Suckling is a career diplomat who has previously been posted to New Delhi and Washington.

He has a post-graduate diploma in Hindi from the University of Sydney. Suckling will replace Peter Varghese, who is returning to Australia to head the department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

"Suckling is an accomplished career diplomat with expertise in policy development, public diplomacy and consular service," Carr said in a statement on Sunday.

"His previous postings to New Delhi and Washington and postgraduate qualifications in Hindi will serve him well as high commissioner."