Varma, Venkatesh

City:

New Delhi, India

Affiliation:

Vivekananda International Foundation, Kautilya School of Public Policy

Position:

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to the Russian Federation (2018–2021),
distinguished fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation,
visiting faculty at the Kautilya School of Public Policy

Distinguished Fellow at Vivekananda International Foundation. Visiting Instructor at Kautilya School of Public Policy. From 1988 to 2021, he was a Member of the Indian Foreign Service. During his diplomatic career, he worked in the Ministry of External Affairs, in the Office of External Affairs Minister and in the Prime Minister’s Office. In 2017-2018, he served as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Kingdom of Spain. In 2018-2021, he was the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Russian Federation. Has vast experience in India’s security and defense policies, including its nuclear, missile, and space programs. He has more than 12 years of experience in the field of multilateral nonproliferation and disarmament – nuclear, chemical, biological and conventional weapons. In 2011, he became the first Recipient of the S.K. Singh Award for Excellence in the Indian Foreign Service for his contribution to the negotiations of the Civil Nuclear Initiative. Member of the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters since January 2024. Member of PIR Center Advisory Board.

F10/ICHI – 04/24