The Ministry of External Affairs announced on Friday that Vinay Mohan Kwatra, former Foreign Secretary of India, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the United States. Kwatra will soon be taking up his new assignment, filling the position left vacant after Taranjit Sandhu’s retirement in January 2024.
Vikram Misri, Earlier on July 15 succeeded Kwatra as India’s Foreign Secretary. Vinay Mohan Kwatra retired as Foreign Secretary in July, following an extension from his original retirement date in April to October.
Kwatra, an Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1988 batch, brings extensive experience to his new role. His previous assignments include serving in China, the US, and in the Prime Minister’s Office. He was also India’s envoy to France from August 2017 to February 2020 and has served in the Indian consulates in Durban, China, and Russia.
In addition to these roles, Kwatra has headed economic, trade, and finance issues for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and has been involved in India’s development program in Afghanistan.
Vinay Mohan Kwatra holds a postgraduate degree in science and is fluent in French, Russian, Hindi, and English. He also has an International Relations Diploma from the Graduate School of International Studies in Geneva. His early career included serving as Third Secretary and then Second Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India in Geneva until 1993.
From May 2010 to July 2013, Kwatra served as Minister (Commerce) in the Indian Embassy in Washington. Between July 2013 and October 2015, he headed the Americas Division in the Ministry of External Affairs and led the Policy Planning & Research Division. From 2015 to 2017, Kwatra was the Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Kwatra’s appointment is expected to strengthen the diplomatic ties between India and the United States, leveraging his vast experience and expertise in international relations.