We are pleased to welcome Ambassador Naresh Chandra, former Indian Ambassador to the U.S., to our Board of Counselors. Our Board helps ensure that we and our clients have access to the very best insights from respected statesmen and women who have served their governments at senior levels in key markets around the world.

Ambassador Chandra is one of India’s most distinguished statesmen.  He served as Cabinet Secretary, the highest post in the Indian Civil Service, and as Ambassador to the United States. He has also served as Governor of the state of Gujarat and in other state governments, and as a Senior Adviser to Prime Minister P.V. Narashima Rao. Most recently he served as Chairman of India’s National Security Advisory Board from 2011-2013, and headed the Task Force on National Security. Ambassador Chandra’s broad experience working at the highest levels of the Indian government will help our clients navigate both the Central government and state governments.

About Ambassador Naresh Chandra

Ambassador Naresh Chandra joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1956. In 1992, following the economic liberalization program in India, Ambassador Chandra led the first official delegation to the United States to promote U.S. investments in India. At the time, he was the Cabinet Secretary, the highest post in the Indian Civil Service, and from 1992 to 1995 he was appointed as Senior Adviser to the then Prime Minister, P.V. Narashima Rao.

From 1995-1996, Ambassador Chandra served as Governor of the state of Gujarat. After his appointment, he served as Ambassador of India to the U.S. from 1996-2001. From 2002-2003, he chaired the Committee on Corporate Governance and the Committee on Private Companies and Limited Liabilities Partnerships, and in 2004, worked as Chairman of the Committee on Civil Aviation Policy, set up by the Government of India, which submitted its report in 2004. He later served as Chairman of India’s National Security Advisory Board from 2011-2013, and headed the Task Force on National Security set up by the Government of India.

Ambassador Chandra has held a number of other positions in both the State and Central Governments. He previously served as Chief Secretary in the state of Rajasthan, and Advisor to the Governor of Jammu & Kashmir. In the Central Government, he served successively as Secretary to the Ministries of Water Resources, Defense, Home Affairs, and Justice. He was also the co-Chairman of the U.S. Technology Transfer Working Group from 1980-1981.

Ambassador Chandra holds a master’s degree in mathematics from Allahabad University. In 2007, he received the Padma Vibhushan, a high civilian award given by the President of India. He also serves on the board of a wide variety of companies.  He is based in New Delhi.