Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar served as India’s Ambassador to the United States from December 2013 to January 2015. His tenure was marked by significant diplomatic engagements, including strengthening U.S.-India ties, especially in the areas of defense, trade, and strategic partnerships.
Key Highlights of His Tenure as U.S. Ambassador:
- Strengthening U.S.-India Relations – He played a crucial role in improving India-U.S. ties, particularly after tensions arose due to the Devyani Khobragade incident in 2013.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s First U.S. Visit (2014) – He was instrumental in coordinating PM Modi’s historic visit to the U.S. in September 2014, which led to deeper cooperation in defense, technology, and economic relations.
- India-U.S. Nuclear Deal Implementation – He worked on resolving key issues related to the civil nuclear agreement between the two nations.
- Defense and Economic Partnerships – He facilitated defense deals and encouraged foreign investment under Modi’s “Make in India” initiative.
Career Before and After His U.S. Ambassadorship:
- 2007-2009: India’s High Commissioner to Singapore
- 2009-2013: India’s Ambassador to China
- 2013-2015: India’s Ambassador to United States
- 2015-2018: Foreign Secretary of India
- 2019-Present: External Affairs Minister of India
Dr. Jaishankar is known for his expertise in foreign policy, Indo-Pacific strategy, and diplomacy. Before becoming a politician, he was a career diplomat in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).