WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): India has nominated retired diplomat Vinay Kwatra as its next ambassador to the United States. The Ministry of External Affairs has not commented on the appointment, but an announcement is anticipated soon after the necessary formalities in the US are completed. The appointment comes just months before the US elections.

The position of India’s ambassador to the US has been vacant since Taranjit Singh Sandhu completed his tenure in January.
Vinay Mohan Kwatra, born on December 15, 1962, is a retired Indian Foreign Service (IFS) diplomat with a career spanning nearly 32 years. He recently retired as India’s 34th Foreign Secretary, serving from May 2022 until July 14, 2024, succeeding Harsh Vardhan Shringla.
Kwatra’s immediate priority will be to engage with officials who could influence India-related policy in the next US administration, especially as both countries brace for possible changes following the November US elections.
Throughout his career, Kwatra has held various key positions, including serving in China, the US, the Prime Minister’s Office as Joint Secretary, and as Minister (Commerce) at the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C. from May 2010 to July 2013. His expertise in policy planning and research and his experience in the Americas Division of the Ministry of External Affairs position him well to navigate the complexities of India-US relations.
Kwatra holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (Hons.) and an M.Sc., and is multilingual, speaking French, Hindi, and English. He also has a diploma in International Relations from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies.
He is married to Pooja Kwatra, and they have two sons.