Amar Sinha, Secretary (ER)

Amar Sinha joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1982. He is an Economics Graduate from Patna University and has worked with the State Bank of India for over two years before joining the Indian Foreign Service.

During his diplomatic career, he has served in various capacities in Algiers (1983-87), Buenos Aires (1987-90), in the Ministry of External Affairs as Private Secretary to Minister of State for External Affairs, Chemicals & Fertilizers, Parliamentary Affairs and Department of Electronics and Ocean Development from July 91 to May 96. He then served as Director (BSM) in Ministry of External Affairs from June 1996 to July 1997 and as OSD to Minister of State for External Affairs from July 1997 to April 1998.

He also held diplomatic positions in Indian Missions in Washington DC [1998-2001], Jakarta [2001-2004] and Brussels [2004-2007] before being appointed India's Ambassador to Tajikistan (April 2007 to July 2010).

During his last tenure in India [2010-2013], he was on deputation to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and served as Joint Secretary in the Trade Policy Division and the RMTR Division handling WTO related matters and issues related to multilateral economic negotiations. He also oversaw India's participation in multilateral fora such as UNCTAD, APTA, BIMSTEC, G20, IBSA, BRICS, etc.

After completion of his assignment in Kabul successfully as Ambassador of India to Afghanistan (June 2013 to January 2016), he has assumed the charge of the post of Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, on January 15, 2016. His charge includes Development Partnership, Africa, and countries in the Gulf and West Asia.

He speaks Hindi, English, French and Spanish and is familiar with Dari. His interests include travelling, sports, reading and playing Bridge, Tennis and Golf.

He has one son.

January 15, 2016.