Meera Shankar
Encyclopedia
Meera Shankar served as India's Ambassador to the United States of America from 2009 to 2011. She was India's second female ambassador to the United States of America, Vijaya Lakshmi Nehru Pandit
being the first. She was succeeded by Nirupama Rao
on August 1,2011.
Shankar, an Indian Foreign Service
officer of the 1973 batch, was posted in Washington DC from 1991 to 1995. She succeeds Ambassador Ronen Sen
. She studied at the reputed St.Mary's Convent
in Nainital.
’s Office from 1985 to 1991, and in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
from 1991 to 1995. While serving in the Ministry of External Affairs
, she headed two important divisions dealing with the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and relations with Nepal
and Bhutan
.
Prior to 2009, she served as India's Ambassador in Berlin, Germany.
Shankar will be the first serving diplomat to be posted in Washington in more than two decades after G.Shankar Bajpai.
In 2003, she achieved the rank of Additional Secretary, she held the responsibility for the United Nations
and International Security.
Meera Shankar is married to Ajay Shankar, IAS officer of the 1973 batch, who retired as secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. Meera has a daughter Priya.
Ajay Shankar has served as Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Principal Adviser in the Planning Commission, Joint Secretary/Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Chief Executive Officer of Greater NOIDA Industrial Development Authority and Secretary to the Lt Governor of Delhi etc. Mr. Shankar has rich and varied experience in the Central and State Governments in industrial promotion, the energy sector and urban management and development. He joined the IAS in 1973. He has been a Non Executive Independent Director of Tata Global Beverages Limited since April 30, 2010. Mr. Shankar received an MA in Political Science from Allahabad University and an M.A. in Economics from Georgetown University, Washington D.C.
Meera Shankar was in the news after she underwent a "pat down" check at a USA airport in Dec 2010.
Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
Vijaya Lakshmi Nehru Pandit was an Indian diplomat and politician, the sister of Jawaharlal Nehru, the aunt of Indira Gandhi and the great-aunt of Rajiv Gandhi, all of whom served as Prime Minister of India.In 1921 she married Ranjit Sitaram Pandit, who died on 14 January 1944...
being the first. She was succeeded by Nirupama Rao
Nirupama Rao
Nirupama Menon Rao is a 1973 batch Indian Foreign Service officer who is the current Ambassador of India to the United States of America since August 2011...
on August 1,2011.
Shankar, an Indian Foreign Service
Indian Foreign Service
The Indian Foreign Service is the foreign service of India. It is the body of career diplomats of India.The Indian Foreign Service is part of the Central Civil Services of the Government of India...
officer of the 1973 batch, was posted in Washington DC from 1991 to 1995. She succeeds Ambassador Ronen Sen
Ronen Sen
Ranendra "Ronen" Sen was India's ambassador to the United States of America from August 2004 to March 2009. His contribution landmark US India Nuclear deal is considered of immense importance -Career:...
. She studied at the reputed St.Mary's Convent
St. Mary's Convent High School
St Mary’s High School, Ramnee Park, Nainital, Uttarakhand, is a girls residential/ boarding and day school in Nainital, Uttranchal, India providing public school education.-Overview:St. Mary's Convent was established by Mother Salesia Reiner in 1878...
in Nainital.
Career
Meera Shankar served as Director in the Prime MinisterPrime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India , as addressed to in the Constitution of India — Prime Minister for the Union, is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in parliament...
’s Office from 1985 to 1991, and in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry administers two departments, the Department of Commerce and the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion. The head of the Ministry is a Minister of Cabinet rank...
from 1991 to 1995. While serving in the Ministry of External Affairs
Ministry of External Affairs (India)
The Ministry of External Affairs is the foreign ministry of India. It is the Indian government agency responsible for the foreign relations of India. The Minister of External Affairs holds cabinet rank as a member of the Council of Ministers. The current minister is S M Krishna...
, she headed two important divisions dealing with the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and relations with Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
and Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
.
Prior to 2009, she served as India's Ambassador in Berlin, Germany.
Shankar will be the first serving diplomat to be posted in Washington in more than two decades after G.Shankar Bajpai.
In 2003, she achieved the rank of Additional Secretary, she held the responsibility for the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and International Security.
Meera Shankar is married to Ajay Shankar, IAS officer of the 1973 batch, who retired as secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. Meera has a daughter Priya.
Ajay Shankar has served as Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Principal Adviser in the Planning Commission, Joint Secretary/Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Chief Executive Officer of Greater NOIDA Industrial Development Authority and Secretary to the Lt Governor of Delhi etc. Mr. Shankar has rich and varied experience in the Central and State Governments in industrial promotion, the energy sector and urban management and development. He joined the IAS in 1973. He has been a Non Executive Independent Director of Tata Global Beverages Limited since April 30, 2010. Mr. Shankar received an MA in Political Science from Allahabad University and an M.A. in Economics from Georgetown University, Washington D.C.
Meera Shankar was in the news after she underwent a "pat down" check at a USA airport in Dec 2010.
See also
- List of ambassadors to the United States
- Embassy of India in Washington, D.C.
External links
- Video: Ambassador Meera Shankar on US-India Relations Asia Society New York, Feb. 19, 2010