The massive Cabinet reshuffle carried out by the NDA Government has undoubtedly been one of the most interesting and talked about reshuffles with PM Modi living up to his image of being a bold leader who does not compromise governance and policy matters for political and electoral considerations.
One of the new faces is the career diplomat, Hardeep Singh Puri even as the object of this revamp has been to rope in ex bureaucrats in order to utilize their expertise in matters of governance. In this article, we have listed down the major achievements of Hardeep Singh as Puri as an Ambassador and Indian Foreign Services Officer.
Career Highlights:
Hardeep Singh Puri joined the IFS cadre in 1974 at an age of twenty-two years. In an illustrious career spanning almost four decades, he held several important diplomatic posts including Indian ambassador to Brazil where he played a crucial role in expansion of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) partnership and diplomatic posts in United Kingdom, Japan and Sri Lanka. He was also the Coordinator of UNCTAD Multilateral Trade Negotiations Project in the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations between the years 1988 to 1991.
Experienced Hand in multilateral institutions:
In his illustrious career, he was particularly well known within the diplomatic circles for his role as an expert on the WTO issues and his dexterous handling of multilateral issues. He was appointed as India’s permanent envoy to several UN institutions in New York and Geneva.
Hardeep Singh Puri reached the zenith of his diplomatic career when he was appointed as India’s permanent representative to the United Nations between the years 2009 to 2013 and he also served as the President of the United Nations Security Council in August 2011 and November 2012.
Moreover, he also held the office of Chairman of the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee from January 2011 to February 2013.
Post Retirement Career:
Hardeep Singh Puri has remained quite active even after his retirement. A few months after his retirement from a fulfilling diplomatic career Mr. Puri joined the International Peace Institute as a Senior Adviser in 2013. Thereafter, the acclaimed diplomat started his political career by formally joining the Bhartiya Janata Party in January 2014, expressing admiration for the party’s approach towards National Security and its patriotic credentials. Before being elevated to the Cabinet rank, Hardeep Singh Puri was appointed in the March month of this year as the Chairman of the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) think tank which provides analytical support to the Government of India and deals with policy research on international economic issues concerning the developing world and development cooperation.
Conclusion:
The appointment of the well-known career diplomat and other bureaucrats boasting of an illustrious career is a welcome move which marks a departure from the conventional approach of a Prime Minister going into campaign mode before Elections. Prime Minister Modi has proved that he is no ordinary leader and that the development agenda is not going to be put on the back burner at any cost.