After an exceptional career spanning more than 35 years, Ruchira Kamboj, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, announced her retirement on Saturday.
As the first woman diplomat to hold the prestigious position of Ambassador of India at the UN, Kamboj, who entered the Indian Foreign Service in 1987, bid farewell on social media, expressing gratitude for the extraordinary years and unforgettable experiences.
Kamboj formally assumed the role of Permanent Representative/Ambassador of India to New York on August 2, 2022. Throughout her tenure, she was known for her active presence on social media, where she highlighted India’s achievements at the UN.
The news of her retirement garnered an overwhelming response from various quarters, with messages pouring in from former ambassadors and ordinary citizens alike. One social media user described her 37 years of service as a testament to sheer grace and steel, acknowledging her enduring impact.
Proficient in Hindi, English, and French, Kamboj began her diplomatic journey as the Third Secretary at the Indian Embassy in Paris from 1989 to 1991. Over the years, she held several significant positions, including Counsellor at India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, where she dealt with critical political issues such as UN Peacekeeping and Security Council Reform.
Kamboj also served as the Deputy Head of the Office of the Secretary-General at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. Notably, she was India's Chief of Protocol from 2011 to 2014, becoming the first and only woman in the government to hold this position.
In addition to her diplomatic roles, Kamboj served at UNESCO in Paris and played a pivotal role in organizing the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2014, overseeing the attendance of Heads of State and Government from SAARC countries and Mauritius.
Married to businessman Diwakar Kamboj, she has one daughter. Kamboj leaves behind a remarkable legacy marked by her dedication and contributions to Indian diplomacy on the global stage.
