Diplomatic Career

Early Career in the Indian Foreign Service

Initial Postings
1974: Hardeep Singh Puri joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS).
1976-1978: He served as an Under Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi.
1978-1981: He was posted as the First Secretary at the Embassy of India in Tokyo, Japan.

Key Roles and Responsibilities
1981-1984: Puri served as the First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in Geneva, dealing with issues related to disarmament and international security.
1984-1988: He held the position of Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, during a crucial period in Indo-Sri Lankan relations.

Mid-Career Contributions

Involvement in Multilateral Diplomacy
1988-1991: Puri returned to Geneva as the Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN, focusing on economic and social issues, including trade and development.

1991-1994: He served as Director of the Foreign Secretary’s Office in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, playing a key role in formulating and implementing India’s foreign policy.

1994-1997: As Joint Secretary (Americas) in the MEA, Puri was responsible for managing India’s relations with the United States, Canada, and Latin American countries.

Ambassadorial Assignments
1997-2002: Hardeep Singh Puri served as the Ambassador of India to Brazil, strengthening bilateral ties and promoting trade and investment between the two countries.

2002-2005: He was appointed as India’s Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, where he worked on enhancing India-UK relations and addressing the Indian diaspora's concerns.

2005-2009: Puri served as India’s Ambassador to the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, focusing on disarmament, human rights, and trade issues. During this period, he chaired several important committees and conferences.

High-Level Diplomatic Roles

Permanent Representative to the United Nations
2009-2013: Puri’s most notable diplomatic role was as India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. During his tenure, he held several key positions, including:
President of the United Nations Security Council (August 2011 and November 2012): Puri presided over important debates and resolutions on global security issues, including counter-terrorism and peacekeeping operations.
Chair of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee: He led efforts to enhance international cooperation in combating terrorism.
Chair of the UN Security Council Committee on Libya Sanctions: He oversaw the implementation of sanctions and efforts to restore peace in Libya.
Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC): Puri played a significant role in promoting sustainable development and addressing global economic challenges.
Final Diplomatic Assignment and Retirement
2013: After completing his tenure at the United Nations, Puri retired from the Indian Foreign Service. His retirement marked the end of a distinguished diplomatic career that spanned nearly four decades and saw him occupy some of the highest and most challenging positions in the field of international diplomacy.

Transition to Politics

After retiring from the Indian Foreign Service in 2013, Hardeep Singh Puri transitioned into politics, leveraging his extensive diplomatic experience to serve his country in a new capacity. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in January 2014, ahead of the general elections that year. Recognizing his expertise and leadership qualities, the BJP quickly integrated him into their strategic framework. Puri's diplomatic background and his reputation for competence and integrity made him a valuable asset to the party, particularly in areas related to foreign policy, urban development, and international trade.

In September 2017, Puri was appointed as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs, where he oversaw several key urban development initiatives, such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and the Smart Cities Mission. His leadership in this ministry was marked by efforts to drive sustainable urbanization and improve housing infrastructure across India.

In 2020, he took on an additional role as the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Civil Aviation. During his tenure, Puri was instrumental in managing the aviation sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, launching the Vande Bharat Mission to repatriate stranded Indian citizens from around the world. His tenure saw significant reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency and connectivity of India's aviation industry.

In 2021, he was appointed as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and also reassumed his role as the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs. In these roles, Puri has focused on ensuring energy security, promoting clean energy initiatives, and furthering urban development policies. His political career has been marked by a pragmatic approach to policy-making, reflecting his diplomatic background and commitment to public service. Through these various ministerial positions, Puri has continued to contribute significantly to India's development agenda, both domestically and on the international stage.

Contributions and Achievements

Hardeep Singh Puri's contributions and achievements in his political career are multifaceted, spanning urban development, civil aviation, and the energy sector. As the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs, Puri spearheaded critical urban development projects, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), which aims to provide affordable housing to millions of urban poor, and the Smart Cities Mission, designed to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life by harnessing technology and sustainable practices. His leadership ensured significant progress in urban infrastructure, sanitation, and real estate regulation through the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA), which brought transparency and accountability to the housing sector.

In his role as the Minister of Civil Aviation, Puri navigated the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He launched and successfully executed the Vande Bharat Mission, one of the largest repatriation efforts in history, bringing home millions of Indian citizens stranded abroad. Puri also worked on reforms to modernize India's aviation infrastructure, improve regional connectivity through the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, and liberalize the sector to attract more private investment.

As the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Puri focused on enhancing India's energy security, diversifying energy sources, and promoting clean and sustainable energy. He advocated for the adoption of alternative fuels and renewable energy, aiming to reduce India's dependence on imported oil and mitigate environmental impacts. His policies supported the expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which provides LPG connections to rural households, significantly improving the quality of life and health of millions of women.

Puri's tenure across these ministries has been characterized by a pragmatic approach to policy-making, leveraging his diplomatic acumen to forge international partnerships and attract foreign investment. His efforts in urban development, aviation, and energy have had a lasting impact on India's infrastructure, economy, and international standing, reflecting his dedication to public service and national progress.