A declaration was made on January 28, 2015, appointing India’s ambassador to the US, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, as the country’s new foreign secretary. A meeting of the Cabinet’s Appointments Committee, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, resulted in the appointment of Jaishankar.
Who is S. Jaishankar?
His service was abruptly cut short by nearly eight months, replacing Sujatha Singh. He did his graduation from the well-known St. Stephen’s College at the University of Delhi, also holds an M.A. in Political Science, an M.Phil., and a PhD in International Relations from JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University), where he focused on nuclear diplomacy. His father, K. Subrahmanyam, was a commentator, strategic affairs analyst, and civil servant.
Consequently, he possesses the necessary expertise in international strategies. Commencing his professional journey in Moscow in 1978, his proficiency in the Russian language presents opportunities for enhancing the relationship between India and Russia. His contributions have been pivotal in promoting closer economic, trade, and cultural connections between these two countries. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the Indian ambassador with the longest tenure in China.
He brings more than 3 decades of diplomatic expertise to the table, having worked for former Indian president Shankar Dayal Sharma as both a press secretary and speechwriter. He gained notoriety while serving as India’s ambassador to the US, where he worked as a mediator in negotiations between the Indian and American governments about how to handle the Devyani Khobragade affair.
Why is he in limelight so often?
The official start of an ambassador’s duties in Washington is marked by a customary ceremony in which each of the six ambassadors presents their credentials to Obama one at a time. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar was the second of those ambassadors to do so. He worked closely with the then-prime minister Manmohan Singh and was a significant player in the historic India-US civil nuclear pact and other projects.
He has held positions in India’s foreign ministry including head of the Americas section, high commissioner to Singapore, and ambassador to the Czech Republic. When he visited China in 2012, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar initially caught Narendra Modi’s interest.
The Prime Minister was astounded by the meetings Jaishankar arranged for him with significant Chinese figures. When Jaishankar was the Under Secretary (Americas) and Policy Planning at MEA’s main office, they first met with the US in 1981. After working there for a few years, he joined MEA as a Joint Secretary (Americas) and stayed for an additional three.
FAQs
<strong>Who is S. Jaishankar?</strong>
Minister of External Affairs
<strong>What is S. Jaishankar's vision for India's role in the world?</strong>
S. Jaishankar envisions India playing a more assertive and proactive role in global affairs, promoting peace, stability, and development, while safeguarding its national interests and upholding principles of democracy, pluralism, and rule of law.
<strong>What are some key diplomatic challenges S. Jaishankar has faced?</strong>
Some key diplomatic challenges S. Jaishankar has faced include managing India’s relationships with neighboring countries such as China and Pakistan, navigating regional tensions, and addressing global issues such as climate change and terrorism.
<strong>What is his vision for India's role in the world?</strong>
Jaishankar envisions India as a leading global player, actively contributing to peace, stability, and development. He advocates for a more prominent role for India in international institutions and multilateral forums, reflecting the country’s growing influence and aspirations on the world stage.
<strong>How has S. Jaishankar's leadership impacted India's foreign policy?</strong>
S. Jaishankar’s leadership has been credited with bringing a pragmatic and assertive approach to India’s foreign policy, focusing on strengthening ties with major powers while also engaging with smaller countries to advance India’s strategic interests and promote regional stability.
<strong>What are some of the key priorities of S. Jaishankar as India's Minister of External Affairs?</strong>
As India’s Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar has focused on strengthening India’s relationships with key strategic partners, promoting India’s interests in regional and global forums, and advancing India’s economic and security interests.
<strong>What are his educational qualifications?</strong>
He studied at The Air Force School, New Delhi, and graduated from St. Stephen’s College at the University of Delhi, India. He later earned an M.A. in Political Science and an M.Phil and Ph.D. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where he specialized in nuclear diplomacy.
