Rup Narayan Das
NUMEROUS distinguished women in India have made substantial contributions to diplomacy and alleviating human suffering. Among them, late Sushma Swaraj, former Minister of External Affairs, holds a prominent place in history. Her utilisation of ‘twitter diplomacy’ garnered international recognition, earning her a position among the 15 global thinkers by the prestigious Foreign Policy magazine in 2016.
One instance of her impactful use of social media was when she resolved the problems faced by thousands of Indian workers in Saudi Arabia facing food crisis due to job losses.
Additionally, in the realm of governance, Indian Parliament has so far had at least three women as presiding officers, bearing testament to the fact that women have contributed significantly in strengthening the institution.
Noteworthy figures include Meira Kumar, Najma Heptullah, and Sumitra Mahajan. Kumar, drawing from her background as a diplomat, infused new energy into parliamentary diplomacy. Heptullah, during her extensive tenure as Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, not only championed India’s interests within the IPU but also advocated for global causes pertaining to development and democracy.
Sumitra Mahajan, who was the Speaker of Lok Sabha, not only led a number of goodwill parliamentary delegations abroad, but also hosted a number of parliamentary delegations visiting India; and participated effectively in multilateral parliamentary fora.
Exceptional diplomats
Women parliamentarians globally have made significant contributions in raising awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and have actively advocated for the implementation of these objectives within their respective governments.
The Indian Foreign Service has nurtured a cadre of exceptional diplomats whose contributions resonate throughout the annals of diplomatic history. These diplomats have not only extended compassionate assistance to Indians facing adversity abroad, but have also fearlessly and effectively advocated for India’s interests on the global stage, including within the United Nations.
Among the distinguished figures within this cohort is Chokila Iyer, who, as a member of the 1964 batch of the IIFS, ascended to the prestigious position of Foreign Secretary. Similarly, Nirupama Menon Rao stands out as India’s first female spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs and the first woman High Commissioner from India to Sri Lanka. Her subsequent tenure as Foreign Secretary (2009-2011) and Ambassador to the United Nations (2011-2013) further underscored the calibre of Indian women diplomats.
Sujata Singh’s tenure as Foreign Secretary (2013-2015) and her prior service as India’s ambassador to Germany exemplify the continued advancement of women within India’s diplomatic ranks. Indian women diplomats have made impactful interventions at the United Nations, such as Arundhati Ghosh’s resolute stance against the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in 1996.
Leading MEA divisions
Furthermore, Indian women diplomats have held pivotal ambassadorial roles in various countries, exemplified by Meera Shankar’s tenure as India’s Ambassador to the USA (2007-2011) and Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa’s service as India’s Ambassador to Japan. Moreover, women officers routinely lead key divisions within the Ministry of External Affairs and serve in diplomatic missions worldwide.
In conclusion, it can be asserted that women, by virtue of their inherent cognitive tendencies, are well suited for the field of diplomacy, possessing a nuanced understanding of human circumstances and women’s concerns. Indian women, across diverse roles, have made substantial contributions to diplomacy, not only advancing India’s interests but also furthering broader objectives of democracy and development.
