Ambassador Kanwal Sibal joined the Indian Foreign Service in July 1966, eventually serving as Foreign Secretary (2002-3). He served in Paris, Dar-es-Salaam, Lisbon and Kathmandu before serving as ambassador to Turkey, Deputy Chief of Mission in the U.S. (with rank of ambassador) and ambassador to Egypt, France and Russia.
He was a member of India’s National Security Advisory Board from November 2008 to November 2010 and President of the Association of Indian Diplomats from March 2010 to March 2011. He is on the Advisory Board of the Vivekanand International Foundation, New Delhi.
He is an Editorial Consultant to The Indian Defence Review and Foreign Affairs Editor of Force- the two most prominent defense and security related publications. Ambassador Sibal writes regularly for national journals and periodicals on international affairs, with over 250 op-eds and other articles to his credit.
He has received the high distinction of Grand Officier of the Ordre du Merite from France.