Ajai Malhotra

Ajai Malhotra
Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation
Incumbent
Assumed office
16 May 2011
Preceded by Prabhat Prakash Shukla
Succeeded by P. S. Raghavan
Personal details
Born 21 November 1953
India
Nationality Indian
Occupation Diplomat

Ajai Malhotra is the former Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation and served in the country from 2011[1] to 2013

Education

Ajai Malhotra was schooled at various locations in India and abroad, completing it at St. Xavier's School, Delhi. He obtained his BA(Hons.) in Economics from the Hindu College, University of Delhi and later completed his Master's degree in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1977.[2] In 2004, he was awarded a Doctorate by the Vasile Goldiş Western University of Arad, Romania, in recognition of his work in support of environmental causes and development.[3] Malhotra speaks English, Hindi, Russian, German and Kiswahili.

Career

Diplomat

After joining the Indian Foreign Service in 1977, his first posting abroad was in 1979, where he served at the High Commission in Nairobi till 1982, handling political work relating to Kenya, and overseeing the development of India's relations with Seychelles. In 1982, he was appointed as the Second Secretary (Pol.) at the Indian mission in Moscow, where he served till 1985, leaving that mission as the First Secretary (Pol.).

From 1985, he served at the permanent mission of India to the UN, in Geneva, as First Secretary (Pol.) where he handled work related to the WHO, WIPO and ILO. He returned to the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi in 1989, where he was a Deputy Secretary, He was later Director in the UN Division of the ministry, where his focus was on Human Rights and international Environmental issues.

He was appointed as Counsellor (Information) at the Indian Embassy, Moscow, in 1993, where he served till 1996, returning to the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, as OSD/Director/Joint Secretary, where he guided all aspects of India's foreign relations with 22 Central and Eastern European countries. In 1999, he was assigned as Minister (Commerce) at the Embassy of India, Washington, D.C. where he served till 2003, where he served as the Chairman of the International Cotton Advisory Committee in 2002.[3]

Ambassador

Ajai Malhotra's first appointment as Ambassador of India, was to Romania with concurrent accreditation to Moldova and Albania where he served from 2003 to 2005. From 2005 – 2009, he served as Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN, New York. Based on leaked American diplomatic cables, published by Wikileaks, it was reported that Ajai Malhotra was posted to the UN Mission, New York to counter the anti-US decisions taken by Nirupam Sen, then Permanent Representative of India, to the UN.[4][5]

He served as ambassador of India to Kuwait from 2009–2011.[6][7] During his tenure, he was responsible for expanding the protection of Indian workers in the country and set up a safe house, especially for domestic workers in distress.[8] His tenure was also highlighted by high level visits from Indian officials to Kuwait, including the Vice-President of India, Mr. Hamid Ansari[7] and S. M. Krishna,[9] former External Affairs Minister.

He has been serving as the Ambassador of India to Russia, since 16 May 2011.[3] His tenure saw the visit of Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh in mid-December 2011 to Russia, and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visiting India in March 2012 for the BRICS summit held in New Delhi. The 65th anniversary of bilateral Indo-Russian diplomatic relations was also marked with year-long celebrations during his tenure.[10] His tenure saw the induction of three Talwar-class frigates into the Indian Navy fleet, INS Teg, INS Tarkash, and INS Trikand.[11] INS Trikand was launched by his wife, Mrs. Ira Malhotra.[12]

He retired in November 2013, and was replaced by P. S. Raghavan.[13]

Recognition

In 2004, he was awarded a Doctorate (Honoris causa) by the Vasile Goldiş Western University of Arad, Romania, in recognition of his work in support of environmental causes and sustainable development.[3] He was cited by the awards committee of the Palmer Prize for Advancing Democracy, awarded by the Council for a Community of Democracies for his role in supporting democratic development and development of the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), and for being a forceful advocate of channelling UNDEF funds to civil society.[14]

Personal life

Ajai Malhotra is married to Ira Malhotra,[15] who is a teacher and was the founding editor of 'Parenting' magazine in India.[16] She launched the warship, the INS Trikand, which was delivered to India from Russia during his tenure.[12] He has a son and a daughter. He is the son of General OP Malhotra.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Indian Ambassadors To Russia". Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "His Excellency Ajai Malhotra – Indian Ambassador with a great vision". Indians in Kuwait. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Ambassador of India to The Russian Federation". Ministry of External Affairs, Embassy of India, Russia. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  4. ↑ Era Sezhiyan. "Deceptive Diplomats and Disloyal Officials of India". VOL XLIX, NO 16. Mainstream Weekly. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  5. ↑ D.Wolff, Alejandro (19 May 2006). "INDIAN DPR PLEDGES TO COOPERATE WITH USG ON NEPAL, UN BUDGET, AND SYG SELECTION". WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable:06USUNNEWYORK1033_a. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  6. ↑ "H.H. the Amir receives credential of foreign diplomats". Kuwait. KUNA – Kuwait News Agency. 24 March 2009. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Indian Envoy Leaving Kuwait – End of Successful Tenure". Arab Times (Kuwait). 5 April 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  8. ↑ "Kuwait's Indian embassy sets model to help workers in distress". Sify. IANS. 27 February 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  9. ↑ "Krishna to seek closer ties with Kuwait". The Hindu. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  10. ↑ "65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations will be celebrated throughout the year – Ambassador Malhotra". Russia & India report. Interfax. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  11. ↑ India Inducts New Power-Packed Stealth Frigates. The Economic Times. Retrieved 16 August 2013
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Speech by H.E. Mr. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation, at the Commissioning Ceremony of INS Trikand at Kaliningrad, June 29, 2013". Indian Embassy, Russia. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  13. ↑ Rajeev Sharma (8 August 2013). "P S Raghavan to be India's next ambassador in Russia". Russia & India report. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  14. ↑ Bob R. LaGamma. "Palmer Prize honors diplomats for Advancing Democracy". Council for Community of Democracies. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  15. ↑ "Expanded cultural links benefit "both our peoples"- Ira Malhotra". Russia & India report. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  16. ↑ "Mrs Ira Malhotra: Our first lady of the Indian Embassy in Kuwait, a crusader for the cause of education". Indians in Kuwait. Retrieved 11 August 2013.