| Overview | D. Bala Venkatesh Varma is a retired diplomat with a distinguished career in the Indian Foreign Service spanning from 1988 to 2021. He has served in various capacities, notably as the Ambassador of India to Russia, Spain, and the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, contributing significantly to international relations, particularly in disarmament and security affairs. |
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| Key Positions | - 2019-2021: Ambassador of India to Russia
- 2017-2019: Ambassador of India to Spain
- Joined the Indian Foreign Service on 16 August 1988
- Held various posts in the Ministry of External Affairs including Director of Disarmament and International Security Affairs
- Key member of negotiations during the India-US Civil Nuclear Initiative
- 2013-2021: Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the Conference on Disarmament, Geneva
- 2010-2013: Joint Secretary (Disarmament & International Security Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs
- 2007-2010: Counsellor/Minister, Permanent Mission of India to the Conference on Disarmament, Geneva
- 2004-2007: Director, Prime Minister's Office
- 2003-2004: Director (Disarmament & International Security Affairs), Ministry of External Affairs
- 2000-2003: First Secretary/Counsellor, Embassy of India, Moscow
- 1997-2000: First Secretary (Disarmament), Permanent Mission of India to the UN, Geneva
- 1994-1997: Under Secretary/Deputy Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs
- 1992-1994: Second Secretary, Embassy of India, Tashkent
- 1990-1992: Third Secretary/Second Secretary, Embassy of India, Moscow
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| Notable Achievements | - First recipient of the S.K. Singh Award for contributions to the Indian Foreign Service in 2011
- Worked on global arms control efforts for over 12 years
- Participated in significant international conferences, including the UN General Assembly and the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva
- First recipient of the S.K. Singh Award for Excellence in Indian Foreign Service in 2010
- Key member of the Indian negotiating team for the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement (2004-2007)
- Involved in all stages of the Civil Nuclear Initiative, including bilateral negotiations with the US, the 123 Agreement, negotiations with the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the International Atomic Energy Agency
- Conducted bilateral nuclear negotiations with Russia, UK, France, China, Pakistan, Australia, Austria, Canada, Switzerland, Brazil, BRICS, and CICA countries
- Member of the UN Group of Government Experts on Missiles and on Disarmament and Nuclear Nonproliferation Education
- Attended 9 Sessions of the UN First Committee and 7 Sessions of the United Nations Disarmament Commission
- Member of the Indian Delegation to the UNGA in 1998-1999, 2003-2005, and 2008-2016
- Oversaw assistance to Indian nationals during the COVID-19 pandemic while serving as Ambassador to Russia
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