Former Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra Appointed as New US Ambassador

Vinay Kwatra's appointment as India's US envoy aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation, address diplomatic challenges, and build strategic contacts with the next US administration.

Former foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra, who completed an extended term this month, has been appointed the next United States Ambassador. The external affairs ministry formally announced on Friday that Kwatra is expected to take up the assignment shortly. He completed his term as foreign secretary on July 14 after getting an extension in service before the general election.

Kwatra served as joint secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office from 2015 to 2017, where he played a crucial role in both advancing cooperation with the US in a wide range of areas and addressing several recent issues that have affected bilateral relations. He will also play a key role in building contacts with players in the next US administration following the presidential election in November. With former president Donald Trump expected to make a return, Kwatra will need to engage with Trump’s team from the Republican Party while maintaining contacts with leading players in the Democratic Party.

Kwatra joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1988 and has held various significant positions. He has served as foreign secretary from 2022 to 2024 and as the envoy to France from 2017 to 2020 and Nepal from 2020 to 2022. Kwatra has had stints in India’s permanent mission to the UN in Geneva, as a desk officer at headquarters dealing with the UN, and in the missions in South Africa and Uzbekistan. He also served as deputy chief of mission in the embassy in China and as a minister (commerce) in the embassy in the US from 2010 to 2013. Additionally, Kwatra headed the policy planning and research division and the Americas division of the external affairs ministry.

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) welcomed Kwatra to Washington as the new Indian envoy to the United States. The USISPF along with Ambassador Kwatra will further enhance the US-India strategic partnership.

The US-India Business Council (USIBC) also expressed their anticipation of closely collaborating with Ambassador Kwatra to advance bilateral trade and economic ties, ensuring continued growth and collaboration between the two nations. Kwatra's distinguished career would significantly contribute to strengthening US-India relations. He is expected to promote a strong partnership, address ongoing challenges and leverage opportunities for mutual growth and collaboration in the coming years.