Former foreign secretary S Jaishankar was given charge of the External Affairs ministry on Friday, a rare instance of a career diplomat handling the key portfolio as minister. Considered an expert on China and the US, the new External Affairs minister's moves will be keenly watched to see whether he brings any changes in India's approach in dealing with a hostile Pakistan. He is the first foreign secretary to head the MEA as minister. Jaishankar, who takes charge of the ministry nearly 16 months after he retired as foreign secretary, will also have to deal with overall expectations of expanding India's global influence and stature, particularly in key multilateral forums like G-20, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS.
Here is a list of those who have held the portfolio:
1. Sushma Swaraj (May 27, 2014--May 26, 2019)
2. Salman Khurshid (October 28, 2012--May 26, 2014)
3. S M Krishna (May 22, 2009--October 26, 2012)
4. Pranab Mukherjee (October 24, 2006--May 22, 2009)
5. Manmohan Singh (November 6, 2005--October 24, 2006)
6. K Natwar Singh (May 22, 2004--November 6, 2005)
7. Yashwant Sinha (July 1, 2002--May 22, 2004)
8. Jaswant Singh (December 5, 1998--June 23, 2002)
9. Atal Bihari Vajpayee (March 19, 1998--December 5, 1998)
10. I K Gujral (June 1, 1996--March 18, 1998)
11. Sikander Bakht (May 21, 1996--June 1, 1996)
12. Pranab Mukherjee (February 10, 1995--May 16, 1996)
13. Dinesh Singh (January 18, 1993--February 10, 1995)
14. P V Narasimha Rao (March 31, 1992--January 18, 1993)
15. Madhavsinh Solanki June 21, 1991--March 31, 1992)
16. Vidya Charan Shukla (November 21, 1990--February 20, 1991)
17. I K Gujral (December 5, 1989--November 10, 1990)
18. V P Singh (December 2, 1989--December 5, 1989)
19. P V Narasimha Rao (June 25, 1988--December 2, 1989)
20. Rajiv Gandhi (July 25, 1987--June 25, 1988)
21. N D Tiwari (October 22, 1986--July 25, 1987)
22. P Shiv Shankar (May 12, 1986--October 22, 1986)
23. Bali Ram Bhagat (September 25, 1985--May 12, 1986)
24. Rajiv Gandhi (October 31, 1984--September 24, 1985)
25. Indira Gandhi (July 19, 1984--October 31, 1984)
26. P V Narasimha Rao (January 14, 1980--July 19, 1984)
27. Shyam Nandan Prasad Mishra (March 26, 1977--July 28, 1979)
28. Atal Bihari Vajpayee (March 26, 1977--July 28, 1979)
29. Yashwantrao Chavan (October 10, 1974--March 24, 1977)
30. Sardar Swaran Singh (June 27, 1970--October 10, 1974)
31. Dinesh Singh (February 14, 1969--June 27, 1970)
32. Indira Gandhi (September 6, 1967--February 13, 1969
33. M C Chagla (November 14, 1966--September 5, 1967)
34. Sardar Swaran Singh (July 18, 1964--November 14, 1966)
35. Lal Bahadur Shastri (June 9, 1964--July 17, 1964)
36. Gulzarilal Nanda (May 27, 1964--June 9, 1964)
37. Jawaharlal Nehru (September 2, 1946--May 27, 1964)
Latest India News
