Shivshankar Menon is a distinguished retired Indian diplomat and statesman whose career spans the highest levels of foreign policy, intelligence, and national security. He served as the 4th National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of India (2010–2014) and, prior to that, as Foreign Secretary of India (2006–2009). His expertise is rooted in a rare, high-stakes diplomatic portfolio that includes serving as Ambassador or High Commissioner to China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Israel.
Menon’s strategic acumen is built on decades of operational experience in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). His tenure as Ambassador to China (2000–2003) was instrumental in improving Sino-India relations, and he played a crucial role in negotiating the landmark Indo-US nuclear deal, working to convince NSG member nations to grant India a clean waiver for nuclear supplies. His early career included work in the Department of Atomic Energy and a posting to the IAEA in Vienna, underscoring his deep engagement in global security issues.
A highly respected academic, Menon studied ancient Indian history and Chinese at St. Stephen's College and has held prestigious visiting fellowships at the MIT Center for International Studies and Harvard University’s Belfer Center. He is the author of Choices: Inside the Making of Indian Foreign Policy and India and Asian Geopolitics: The Past, Present. He was recognized by Foreign Policy magazine as one of the "Top 100 Global Thinkers" in 2010. He currently shares his deep knowledge as a Visiting Professor at Ashoka University and Chair of the Ashoka Centre for China Studies. As a speaker, he offers an unmatched, insider's perspective on geopolitical strategy, international relations, and the intricate, high-stakes decision-making processes in government, providing crucial insights for business leaders and policymakers seeking to navigate a complex and volatile global environment.
