M. Rasgotra

Maharajakrishna Rasgotra joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1949. From 1958 to 1962 he represented India in United Nations bodies dealing with trusteeship and decolonization. His subsequent appointments included deputy chief of mission in Washington and ambassadorships in Morocco, Tunisia, Nepal, the Netherlands, and France. He also served twice as high commissioner in London. ¹

As chargé in Washington during the 1971 South Asian crisis, Rasgotra conveyed India's position to Secretary of State William Rogers. In a meeting in late November, Rogers urged military disengagement and warned of the consequences of war. Rasgotra maintained that India did not seek a major invasion, but questioned whether withdrawing troops would change the underlying conditions in East Pakistan. He also asked what Pakistan was prepared to do about its military operations there. ²

Rasgotra served as foreign secretary from 1982 to 1985, under Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, during the creation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. His later work included membership of the UN's Disarmament Advisory Board and leadership of India's National Security Advisory Board. He taught and lectured on international affairs and wrote the memoir A Life in Diplomacy. ¹