Natwar Singh, Politician and Diplomat
Politician and Diplomat

Natwar Singh

Born 16 May 1931 · Rajasthan — Died 10 August 2024

Serving as India's Minister of External Affairs from May 2004 to December 2005.

Natwar Singh was an Indian politician and diplomat of the Indian Foreign Service who later served as India's Minister of External Affairs from May 2004 to December 2005. Having been suspended by the Indian National Congress (INC) in 2006, he joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in 2008 but was removed from the party within four months.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Natwar Singh was a visiting scholar at Peking University during the 1950s, a rare Indian diplomat to study in China during a period of Sino-Indian estrangement.

The Story

1
🌏 In 1953, Natwar Singh joined the Indian Foreign Service and by 1956 was posted in Beijing during a critical period of Sino-Indian relations, witnessing early Cold War tensions firsthand.
2
From 1961 to 1966, he served at India's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, where he sat on UNICEF's executive board and multiple UN committees, marking his early imprint on international diplomacy.
3In 1983, Singh was the Secretary-General of the Seventh Non-Aligned Summit in New Delhi, coordinating a major global event that shaped India's leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement.
4🏛️ After resigning from the IFS in 1984, he swiftly entered politics, winning election and serving as Union Minister of State for External Affairs under Rajiv Gandhi, navigating complex foreign policy challenges from 1986 to 1989.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 1984, Natwar Singh was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his diplomatic contributions, just before transitioning from a 31-year Foreign Service career to active politics.

🖼️

Through the Years

6 photographs from the archives
Natwar Singh meets US Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld in New Delhi (2004).
Natwar Singh meets US Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld in New Delhi (2004).
2004
Natwar Singh assumes charge as Union Minister for External Affairs in New Delhi (2004).
Natwar Singh attends Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission closing session in New Delhi (2004).
Natwar Singh exchanges documents with Afghan Foreign Minister in presence of leaders in Kabul (2005).
Natwar Singh with Pakistan President General Parvez Musharraf in New Delhi (2005).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Natwar Singh was born into an aristocratic Jat Hindu family related to the ruling dynasty of Bharatpur.
1931
⚡
Career
Joined Indian Foreign Service
Singh entered the IFS, beginning a 31-year diplomatic career with early postings including Beijing and New York.
1953
⚡
Career
Secretary-General of Non-Aligned Summit
Coordinated the Seventh Non-Aligned Movement Summit held in New Delhi.
1983
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received one of India's highest civilian awards for diplomatic service.
1984
⚡
Career
Entered Politics with INC
Resigned from IFS to contest elections and won a seat, joining the Indian National Congress.
1984
⚡
Career
Became Minister of External Affairs
Appointed as India's External Affairs Minister under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
2004
⚡
Career
Resigned amid Oil-for-Food scandal
Stepped down after UN Volcker Committee implicated him in illegal kickbacks.
2005
📖
Publication
Published autobiography
Released "One Life is Not Enough," generating controversy and criticism.
2014
🕊️
Death
Passed away in Gurugram
Natwar Singh died at age 93, marking the end of a complex diplomatic and political life.
2024
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Between 1973 and 1977, Singh served as India's Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, a key diplomatic post during the post-colonial adjustment of Indo-British relations.

02 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Despite his aristocratic Jat heritage from Bharatpur, Singh attended Mayo College and St. Stephen's College, blending princely lineage with elite Indian education.

03 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Singh's tenure as Ambassador to Pakistan (1980-82) coincided with tense India-Pakistan relations post-Emergency and during early Afghan conflict spillovers.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Natwar Singh | Politician & Diplomat | Relevance of Literature
More from this archive
Natwar Singh | Politician & Diplomat | Relevance of Literature
01
Natwar Singh | Politician & Diplomat | Relevance of Literature
Minister of External Affairs, Natwar Singh speaks about Jammu and Kashmir
02
Minister of External Affairs, Natwar Singh speaks about Jammu and Kashmir

🌱 What changed because of them

Natwar Singh’s career bridged India’s post-colonial diplomacy and modern political challenges, influencing India's foreign policy through key postings in China, Pakistan, and at the UN. His role in the 1983 Non-Aligned Summit reinforced India's leadership in global south diplomacy, while his political rise and later fall highlighted the complex interface between diplomacy and domestic politics in India.

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