Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, commonly known as S. Jaishankar, is an Indian politician and diplomat who is currently serving as the Minister of External Affairs in the government of India. He has had a long and illustrious career in both diplomacy and government service, and is widely respected both in India and around the world for his expertise and experience.
Early Life and Education
S. Jaishankar was born on January 9, 1955, in New Delhi, India. His father, K. Subrahmanyam, was a renowned strategic affairs expert, and his mother, Sulochana, was a Sanskrit scholar. Jaishankar completed his early education at Air Force Bal Bharati School in New Delhi, and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from St. Stephen's College at the University of Delhi. He then earned a Master's degree in Political Science and an M.Phil. degree in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.
Diplomatic Career
Jaishankar joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1977, and over the next several decades, he served in a number of important diplomatic posts both in India and around the world. Some of his key assignments include serving as India's Ambassador to the United States from 2013 to 2015, as India's High Commissioner to Singapore from 2007 to 2009, and as India's Ambassador to China from 2009 to 2013.
During his time as India's Ambassador to the United States, Jaishankar played a key role in strengthening ties between the two countries. He was instrumental in negotiating the historic civil nuclear agreement between India and the United States, which lifted restrictions on India's access to nuclear technology and paved the way for increased trade and cooperation between the two countries.
As India's Ambassador to China, Jaishankar worked to improve relations between India and China, which had been strained due to a number of territorial disputes between the two countries. He also played a key role in negotiating the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement between the two countries, which helped to reduce tensions along the disputed border.
Government Service
In addition to his diplomatic career, Jaishankar has also served in a number of important government positions in India. In 2015, he was appointed as India's Foreign Secretary, the highest-ranking diplomat in the Indian government. In this role, he played a key role in shaping India's foreign policy and strengthening its relationships with other countries.
In 2019, Jaishankar was appointed as India's Minister of External Affairs, a position he continues to hold today. As Minister of External Affairs, Jaishankar has been a key player in shaping India's foreign policy and strengthening its relationships with other countries. He has played a particularly important role in India's efforts to counter China's growing influence in the region, and has worked to deepen India's partnerships with other countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including the United States, Japan, Australia, and others.
Personal Life and Awards
S. Jaishankar is married to Kyoko Jaishankar, who is of Japanese origin, and the couple has two sons. In addition to his diplomatic and government service, Jaishankar is also a prolific writer and scholar, and has written several books on Indian foreign policy and international relations.
Throughout his career, Jaishankar has been recognized for his contributions to Indian diplomacy and foreign policy. He has received numerous awards and honors, including the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards, in 2020. He has also been awarded honorary doctorates by several universities, including the Jawaharlal Nehru University, the University of Hyderabad, and the Indian Institute