Mr. Amar Sinha

Mr. Amar Sinha retired from the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) as Secretary Economic Relations in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, in June 2017 after a diplomatic career spanning 35 years.

He has served in different capacities in Indian Mission around the world including in Algiers (1983-87), Buenos Aires (1987-90), Washington DC (1998-2001) Jakarta (2001-04), and Brussels (2004-07). 

At Headquarters he has served as PS to Minister of State in the Ministries of External Affairs, Chemicals and Fertilizers and Department of Electronics (1991-96), as Director (BSM) in Ministry of External Affairs from June 1996 to July 1997 and again as OSD to Minister of State for External Affairs from July 1997 to April 1998.

In 2007 he was appointed India's Ambassador to Tajikistan (2007-2010) and on his return to New Delhi served as Joint Secretary Trade Policy in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (2010-13) where he handled the WTO and other trade negotiations. He also oversaw India's participation in various multilateral fora such as UNCTAD, APTA, BIMSTEC, G20, IBSA, BRICS, etc.

In 2013 he was appointed India's Ambassador to Afghanistan (2013-2016)   After completion of his assignment in Kabul successfully he  assumed the charge of the post of Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, on January 15, 2016. His portfolio included relations with all countries in Africa, Gulf and West Asia Region, Development Partnership, Trade and Investment Promotion and all multilateral economic work such as BRICS etc. He also served an ex-officio Director on the Board of EXIM Bank of India.

 On his retirement from diplomatic service on 30 June 2017 he has been appointed as a Director on the Board of Hindustan Petroleum Corporations Ltd.  He joined the RIS as a Distinguished Fellow in November 2017, and has lent support to several think tanks focused on Afghanistan and other strategic issues. He also advises Chambers of Commerce on trade and investment issues.

He is currently a Member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB).

He is an Economics Graduate from Patna University. He speaks Hindi, English, French and Spanish fluently and is familiar with Dari (Persian). His interests include reading, travel and sports.

March 2020