Dr. Virander Paul, India’s Ambassador To Turkey, Dies At 65

Veteran diplomat Dr. Virander Paul, India’s Ambassador to Turkey, passed away in Delhi on Friday following a lengthy illness.

Posting on X, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar referred to Dr. Paul’s passing as a ‘significant loss’ to the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). He wrote, “Have worked closely with him (Paul) in his many postings. Always admired his commitment and service and value his many contributions.”

The Indian embassy said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by the Ambassador’s ‘untimely demise.’

Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), shared a post on its social media account saying, “We are deeply saddened at the untimely demise of Ambassador Virander Paul, India’s envoy to Türkiye. A dedicated officer, he will always be remembered for his exceptional human qualities and impactful professional contribution.”

Facts About Dr. Virander Paul

1. He began his Indian Foreign Service career in 1991. Before Turkey, he served as High Commissioner to Kenya, Ambassador to Somalia, and Ambassador/Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN-HABITAT.
2. Dr. Virander Paul, India’s 27th envoy to Ankara, began his term in August 2022, succeeding Sanjay Panda. He held various positions during his distinguished 33-year diplomatic career.
3. He held a medical degree from the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
4. The late diplomat was fluent in as many as four languages: Punjabi, Hindi, English, and Russian.
5. He is survived by his spouse Racheline, and the couple’s two daughters.