Women in Indian Diplomacy

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, sister of Jawaharlal Nehru, was the first woman to serve as India's Ambassador to the United Nations from 1946 to 1948.

Lakshmi Menon, India's Ambassador to Sri Lanka, played a key role in negotiating the Simla Agreement of 1972, which aimed to resolve the conflict between India and Pakistan.

Nirupama Rao made history by becoming the first woman Foreign Secretary of India in 2009, serving until 2011.

Meera Shankar served as India's Ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2013, becoming the first woman to hold this position.

Vijayalakshmi Pandit was the first woman to represent India at the United Nations Security Council in 1946.

Lakshmi Menon, India's Ambassador to Sri Lanka, played a crucial role in the negotiations leading to the India-Bangladesh Friendship Treaty of 1972.

Nirupama Rao became the first woman to serve as India's Ambassador to China from 2006 to 2009.

D. B. Venkatesh Varma served as India's Ambassador to Russia from 2017 to 2019.

Nirupama Rao became the first woman to hold the position of Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs in 2001.

Vinay Mohan Kwatra served as India's Ambassador to France from 2017 to 2020.

Nirupama Rao became the first woman to serve as India's Ambassador to the United Kingdom in 2003.

Muktesh Pardeshi served as India's Ambassador to Germany from 2018 to 2021.

Nirupama Rao became the first woman to serve as India's Ambassador to Japan in 2004.

Navdeep Suri served as India's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates from 2016 to 2020.

Nirupama Rao became the first woman to serve as India's Ambassador to Australia in 2001.