S Jaishankar: A Career in Diplomacy and Politics Born January 9, 1955, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, currently serves as India’s External Affairs Minister, a post he’s held since May 2019, making him the longest-serving incumbent since Jawaharlal Nehru. A member of the BJP and Rajya Sabha MP, Jaishankar’s career is deeply rooted in diplomacy. A 1977 Indian Foreign Service (IFS) recruit, his 38-year diplomatic career included postings as High Commissioner to Singapore and Ambassador to the Czech Republic, China, and the US. His contributions extend to key negotiations, including the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement. Post-retirement from the IFS, he briefly served Tata Sons before entering politics. As External Affairs Minister, Jaishankar has spearheaded a more assertive foreign policy. His tenure has witnessed efforts to navigate complex geopolitical situations, including maintaining ties with China post-Doklam and advocating for dialogue to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He is the first former Foreign Secretary to become External Affairs Minister. His contributions include navigating complex international relations and representing India on the global stage. The Padma Shri awardee (2019) continues to shape India's foreign policy.