The author joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1977. During his diplomatic career he has served in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Pakistan, Israel, Bangladesh and Thailand. At New Delhi, he served in Protocol and the Americas Divisions, Deputy Coordinator, SAARC Summit 1995 and Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of External Affairs. He served as High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Ambassador to Thailand, returning to MEA as Special Secretary (Public Diplomacy) and later as Secretary (Economic Relations), in which capacity he was a Member of the Board of Directors of the EXIM Bank and the BRICS Sherpa for the 2013 Summit held in South Africa. He retired from service in September 2013. A former President of the Association of Indian Diplomats and a regular contributor to newspapers and publications on international issues and India’s foreign policy, the author has published over 170 articles, several book reviews and five book chapters.