New Delhi: Eight distinguished diplomats, each with exemplary service records and deep expertise in global diplomacy, will accompany seven all-party delegations comprising 59 members to 32 countries, as part of the Government of India’s bold diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor.

Under the banner of One Mission, One Message, One Bharat, these delegations will present India’s united stand and unwavering commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Their mission: to deliver a clear message of national consensus and zero-tolerance for terrorism to the international community.

Anushka Singh of Bureaucrats India profiles the diplomats entrusted with carrying India’s voice to the world.

Harsh Vardhan Shringla (Group 1: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Algeria)
Harsh Vardhan Shringla, a 1984-batch IFS officer, served as India’s Foreign Secretary (2020–2022), capping a 38-year career. Group 1’s mission is led by Baijayant Panda (BJP), with MPs Asaduddin Owaisi, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, Satnam Singh Sandhu, and Ghulam Nabi Azad. Shringla will leverage his Gulf expertise and diaspora networks to counter Pakistan’s narrative and promote India’s anti-terrorism stance post-Operation Sindoor.

He was appointed Chief Coordinator for India's G20 Presidency in 2023. Throughout his diplomatic career, Shringla held various positions both in India and abroad. He served as India's Ambassador to the United States from January 2019 to January 2020, Ambassador to Thailand from 2014 to 2016, and High Commissioner to Bangladesh from 2016 to 2019. His earlier postings included assignments in France (at UNESCO), the United States (at the UN in New York), Vietnam (in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City), Israel, and South Africa (in Durban).

At the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, Shringla held key roles such as Joint Secretary (Director General) responsible for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the Maldives. He also headed the United Nations Political and SAARC Divisions and served as Director of the Northern Division dealing with Nepal and Bhutan.

Shringla is fluent in French, Vietnamese, and Nepali, in addition to English and several Indian languages. He has contributed to various publications on topics including conflict prevention, economic diplomacy, and India-Bangladesh relations. In recognition of his contributions, Shringla was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (D. Litt.) degree by ICFAI University, Sikkim, in 2019.

Pankaj Saran (Group 2: UK, France, Germany, EU, Italy, Denmark)
Pankaj Saran, a 1982-batch IFS officer, served as Deputy National Security Adviser (2018–2021), shaping India’s security policies. Headed by Ravi Shankar prasad (BJP), with MPs Daggubati Purandeswari, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Ghulam Ali Khatana, Amar Singh, Samik Bhattacharya, and M.J. Akbar, Saran’s experience will drive EU negotiations on trade agreements and security cooperation, countering Pakistan’s narrative.

He served as India's Ambassador to Russia from 2016 to 2018, strengthening bilateral ties during a period of complex geopolitical dynamics. Prior to this, he was the High Commissioner to Bangladesh from 2012 to 2015, playing a pivotal role in the historic India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement. Earlier in his career, Saran held key positions in Indian missions in Moscow, Dhaka, Washington D.C., Cairo, and Geneva, and served in the Ministry of External Affairs, focusing on Nepal and Bhutan.

From 2018 to 2021, Saran was appointed as the Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Affairs. In this capacity, he contributed to India's regional and global strategy formulation, including maritime security, Arctic affairs, neighborhood policies, and technology and economic security. His tenure marked a shift in the National Security Advisor's office, integrating diplomatic perspectives into strategic decision-making. Currently, Saran serves as the Convenor of NatStrat, a Delhi-based independent center for research on strategic and security issues. He is also a member of the National Security Advisory Board and a Distinguished Fellow of the National Maritime Foundation. Saran is a regular commentator and writer on foreign affairs, security, and strategic issues.

Dr Mohan Kumar (Group 3: Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Singapore)
Dr. Mohan Kumar, a 1981-batch IFS officer, retired in 2017 after serving as Ambassador to France (2015–2017) and Bahrain (2008–2011). Group 3’s Asia-Pacific mission is led by Sanjay Kumar Jha (JD(U). Accompanying MPs Aparajita Sarangi, Brij Lal, Pradan Baruah, Hemang Joshi, Yusuf Pathan, John Brittas, and Salman Khurshid. Kumar played a pivotal role in strengthening the Indo-French strategic partnership, particularly in defense, space, nuclear and solar energy, smart cities, and investment sectors. Additionally, Dr. Kumar was actively involved in the 2015 Paris Climate Change Accord negotiations.

Dr. Kumar's expertise in international trade and multilateral negotiations is notable; he was India's lead negotiator at the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), focusing on intellectual property rights, services, dispute settlement, and environmental issues. He participated in key WTO Ministerial Conferences in Marrakesh (1994), Seattle (1999), and Doha (2001).

From 2005 to 2007, Dr. Kumar served as Joint Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs, overseeing India's bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the Maldives. He holds an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, and a Ph.D. from Sciences Po, Paris. Following his diplomatic career, Dr. Kumar became the Chairman of the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) in June 2018. He is also a professor of diplomatic practice and Dean for Strategic and International Initiatives at the Jindal School of International Affairs, O.P. Jindal Global University.

Sujan Chinoy (Group 4: UAE, Liberia, DR Congo, Sierra Leone)
Sujan Chinoy, a 1981-batch IFS officer, has been Director General of the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses since 2019. His expertise in China strengthens Group 4’s strategic focus, led by Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena).  With MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Atul Garg, Manan Kumar Mishra, E.T. Mohammed Basheer, Sasmit Patra, and S.S. Ahluwalia, Chinoy will enhance India-UAE defense ties and expand India’s African footprint in peacekeeping and infrastructure. 

From 2015 to 2018, Chinoy served as India’s Ambassador to Japan, where he was involved in advancing strategic and economic ties between the two countries. Before that, from 2012 to 2015, he was India’s Ambassador to Mexico and concurrently the High Commissioner to Belize. Earlier in his career, he served as Consul General in Shanghai from 2000 to 2005 and in Sydney from 2005 to 2008. He also held the post of Additional Secretary at the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) between 2008 and 2012, focusing on strategic affairs and international security cooperation. Chinoy’s other postings included assignments in Riyadh, Beijing, Hong Kong, and the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York, where he handled disarmament and security issues. His work in multilateral and bilateral diplomacy covered areas such as trade, investment, regional security, and cultural exchange.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Psychology from Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara and an MBA in Marketing from Gujarat University. He also studied Mandarin Chinese at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and is fluent in several languages including Mandarin, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Arabic, and Gujarati.Post-retirement, Chinoy has been active in policy research and strategic commentary. He is the author of books such as World Upside Down: India Recalibrates Its Geopolitics (2023) and Global Tumult: India as a Pole Star (2024), and regularly contributes to journals and newspapers on topics related to international relations, security, and diplomacy. 

Taranjit Singh Sandhu (Group 5: USA, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, Colombia)
Taranjit Singh Sandhu, a 1988-batch IFS officer, is co-leading with Shashi Tharoor (INC) and MPs Shambhavi, Sarfaraz Ahmad, G.M. Harish Balayogi, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar Kalita, Tejasvi Surya, and Milind Deora, Sandhu will drive dialogues on trade, defense, and diaspora engagement, particularly in Guyana. He last served as India’s Ambassador to the United States from February 2020 to January 2024. During this tenure, he played a key role in deepening U.S.-India strategic relations, particularly in areas such as defense, trade, technology, and health cooperation. He was also instrumental in the successful organization of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the U.S. in June 2023. 

Before his posting in Washington, D.C., Sandhu served as High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka from January 2017 to January 2020, where he worked on strengthening bilateral relations in trade, investment, and cultural ties.He has earlier served in multiple important diplomatic assignments including as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C. (2013–2017), Consul General of India in Frankfurt, and First Secretary at the Indian Mission to the United Nations in New York during the early 1990s. He was also posted in Kyiv, Ukraine, in the early years of his career. 

At the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, Sandhu held several key positions, including Head of the United Nations Political Division and Joint Secretary (United Nations) handling multilateral affairs.He graduated with a degree in history from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and later pursued a Master’s in International Relations.Following his retirement, Sandhu joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in March 2024 and is expected to enter active politics, with a likely candidacy from the Amritsar constituency in upcoming elections.

Manjeev S Puri (Group 6: Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, Russia)
Manjeev S Puri, a 1982-batch IFS officer is co-leading Group 6 with Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK), alongside MPs Rajeev Rai, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Brijesh Chowta, Prem Chand Gupta, Ashok Kumar Mittal, and Jawed Ashraf. He served as India's Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, Luxembourg (2014–2017), and to Nepal (2017–2019). His tenure in Brussels focused on strengthening India's relations with the EU and its member states, while in Kathmandu, he played a pivotal role in managing bilateral ties with Nepal. 

Prior to these assignments, Puri served as India's Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 2009 to 2013. During this period, he was actively involved in India's engagements on the UN Security Council and represented the country in various global negotiations. In New Delhi, Puri held significant positions, including Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, where he headed the UN Economic and Social Division. He also served as Deputy Chief of Protocol, overseeing high-level diplomatic engagements. 

His diplomatic assignments included postings in Germany (Bonn and Berlin), Cape Town, Muscat, Bangkok, and Caracas, providing him with extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy and bilateral relations. Puri retired from the Indian Foreign Service on December 31, 2019, in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India. Following his retirement, he has been engaged in various roles, including serving as a Distinguished Fellow at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), focusing on international climate change issues and sustainable development. 

He holds a B.A. (Honours) in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi University, and an MBA with a specialization in Finance from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, University of Mumbai. In addition to his diplomatic career, Puri has been involved in various initiatives related to climate change and sustainable development, contributing his expertise to global discussions on these critical issues.

Jawed Ashraf (Group 6: Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, Russia)
Jawed Ashraf, a 1991-batch IFS officer, was Ambassador to France (2020–2024) and served in Singapore and the PMO. Co-leading Group 6 with Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK), alongside MPs Rajeev Rai, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Brijesh Chowta, Prem Chand Gupta, Ashok Kumar Mittal, and Manjeev S Puri. Over his career, he has held key diplomatic and administrative positions in India and abroad. His overseas postings include Indian Missions in Frankfurt, Berlin, Kathmandu, and Washington, D.C. Between 2007 and 2010, he was posted in Washington, D.C., and earlier in Kathmandu in 2007.

In New Delhi, he served in the Ministry of External Affairs and held the role of Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office under both Prime Ministers Dr. Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi. His responsibilities included foreign affairs, defense, the National Security Council, atomic energy, and space.From 2016 to 2020, he was India’s High Commissioner to Singapore. During this tenure, he worked on areas such as smart cities and urban development, and he oversaw consular operations during the COVID-19 pandemic under the Vande Bharat Mission.

In July 2020, he was appointed as India’s Ambassador to France, and also accredited to Monaco. He was involved in matters related to strategic partnerships, including the implementation of the Rafale aircraft deal. Jawed Ashraf holds a degree in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and a Master’s in Management from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. He has also authored a photographic book on Kathmandu.

Syed Akbaruddin (Group 7: Egypt, Qatar, Ethiopia, South Africa)
Syed Akbaruddin, a 1985-batch IFS officer, served as India’s UN Permanent Representative (2016–2020), retiring with a 34-year career. As Dean of Kautilya School of Public Policy since 2025, he accompanies Group 7, led by Supriya Sule (NCP), with MPs Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Anurag Thakur, Manish Tewari, Vikramjeet Singh Sahney, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Anand Sharma, and V. Muraleedharan. 

He holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from Osmania University. He joined the IFS in 1985 after training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. His early postings included Third Secretary in Cairo, Egypt (1987–1991), where he handled political and consular affairs, and First Secretary in Saudi Arabia (1991–1994), focusing on economic and diaspora engagement. From 1995 to 1998, he served as Political Officer at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, working on UN General Assembly issues. He was Director at the MEA’s Foreign Secretary’s Office (1998–2002), coordinating high-level diplomatic engagements. As Consul General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (2002–2004), he managed India’s largest consular post, serving pilgrims and the diaspora. He served as First Secretary in Malaysia (2004–2007), strengthening bilateral trade ties. 

From 2007 to 2011, he was Director (Joint Secretary) at the MEA, overseeing West Asia and North Africa. He represented India at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna (2011–2013), focusing on nuclear non-proliferation. As Ambassador to the Netherlands (2013–2016), he deepened India-EU economic ties and represented India at the International Court of Justice. His most prominent role was as India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York (2016–2020), where he led India’s advocacy for Security Council reforms, counterterrorism frameworks, and climate agreements. He retired in April 2020. Since 2025, he has been Dean of the Kautilya School of Public Policy, shaping public policy education. 

These diplomats, with their current roles in academia, think tanks, and politics, lend credibility to Operation Sindoor. Their past contributions to India’s foreign policy, from G20 coordination to UN negotiations, ensure India’s anti-terrorism message is delivered with authority.

BI Bureau