Ronen Sen
Encyclopedia
Ranendra "Ronen" Sen was India
's ambassador
to the United States of America from August 2004 to March 2009. His contribution landmark US India Nuclear deal is considered of immense importance
, Sen joined the Indian Foreign Service
in July 1966. From 1968 to 1984, he served in Indian missions/posts in Moscow
, San Francisco and in Dhaka
and in the Ministry of External Affairs
. He has also been Secretary to the Atomic Energy Commission of India
.
From July 1984 to December 1985, Sen was Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. Thereafter he was Joint Secretary to the Prime Minister of India
from 1986 to July 1991 responsible for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Science and Technology.
Sen also served as India's ambassador to Mexico
from September 1991 to August 1992; Ambassador of India to Russia
from October 1992 to October 1998; India's ambassador to Germany
from October 1998 to May 2002 and High Commissioner
to the United Kingdom
from May 2002 to April 2004.
Mr. Sen has also participated in summit meetings in the United Nations
, Commonwealth
, Non-Aligned Movement
, Six Nation Five Continent Peace Initiative, SAARC, International Atomic Energy Agency
, G-15
and other forums and also in over 160 bilateral summit meetings. He has also served as Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of India several times.
Currently Mr. Sen serves as Independent Director of Tata Motors
since June 1, 2010.
Following the uproar over this remark, Sen later tendered his apology before Parliamentary Privileges Committee. Sen clarified:
The Rajya Sabha panel too decided to close the issue since "Sen has tendered unconditional and sincere apologies". "In view of Sen's acceptance of having made the impugned remarks and that the same were unwarranted, and having tendered his unconditional apology, the Committee recommends that the matter should be allowed to rest here," the Rajya Sabha Committee said in its report tabled in the House.
In its uncharacteristic censure, The Rajya Sabha panel felt his remarks were
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India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
's ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to the United States of America from August 2004 to March 2009. His contribution landmark US India Nuclear deal is considered of immense importance
Career
After graduation from St. Xavier's College, CalcuttaSt. Xavier's College, Calcutta
St. Xavier's College is located in Kolkata, India, and is named after St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit saint of the 16th century, who travelled to India. It is an autonomous college affiliated to the University of Calcutta. It gained autonomy in July 2006, thus becoming the first autonomous college of...
, Sen joined the Indian Foreign Service
Indian Foreign Service
The Indian Foreign Service is the foreign service of India. It is the body of career diplomats of India.The Indian Foreign Service is part of the Central Civil Services of the Government of India...
in July 1966. From 1968 to 1984, he served in Indian missions/posts in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, San Francisco and in Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
and in the Ministry of External Affairs
Ministry of External Affairs
Ministry of External Affairs may refer to:* Ministry of External Affairs * Ministry of External Affairs * Ministry of External Affairs * Ministry of External Affairs and Defence...
. He has also been Secretary to the Atomic Energy Commission of India
Atomic Energy Commission of India
The Atomic Energy Commission is a governing body functioning under the Department of Atomic Energy , Government of India. The DAE is under the direct charge of the Prime Minister.- History :...
.
From July 1984 to December 1985, Sen was Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs. Thereafter he was Joint Secretary to the Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India , as addressed to in the Constitution of India — Prime Minister for the Union, is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in parliament...
from 1986 to July 1991 responsible for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Science and Technology.
Sen also served as India's ambassador to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
from September 1991 to August 1992; Ambassador of India to Russia
Ambassador of India to Russia
The following people have served as Ambassadors of India to Russia and it predecessor state, the Soviet Union:*Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit *Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan *Kumara Padma Sivasankara Menon *S. Dutt...
from October 1992 to October 1998; India's ambassador to Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
from October 1998 to May 2002 and High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
from May 2002 to April 2004.
Mr. Sen has also participated in summit meetings in the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
, Non-Aligned Movement
Non-Aligned Movement
The Non-Aligned Movement is a group of states considering themselves not aligned formally with or against any major power bloc. As of 2011, the movement had 120 members and 17 observer countries...
, Six Nation Five Continent Peace Initiative, SAARC, International Atomic Energy Agency
International Atomic Energy Agency
The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
, G-15
Group of 15
The Group of 15 was established at the Ninth Non-Aligned Movement Summit Meeting in Belgrade, Yugoslavia in September 1989.This informal forum was set up to foster cooperation and provide input for other international groups, such as the World Trade Organization and the Group of Eight...
and other forums and also in over 160 bilateral summit meetings. He has also served as Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of India several times.
Currently Mr. Sen serves as Independent Director of Tata Motors
Tata Motors
Tata Motors Limited is an Indian multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Mumbai, India. Part of the Tata Group, it was formerly known as TELCO...
since June 1, 2010.
Personal life
Sen is married to Kalpana, who was previously an airhostess with Indian Airlines. They have a daughter.Headless Chicken remark
In August 2007, Sen was issued notice (and subsequently censured) by the Parliamentary Privileges Committee to explain the "headless chicken" remark he is alleged to have made in an off-the-record interview which was published by "rediff.com" on 20 August 2007 titled as "We will have zero credibility" on the Atomic energy pact. Sen had said:"It has been approved here (in Washington, DC) by the President, and there (in New Delhi) it's been approved by the Indian cabinet. So why do you have all this running around like headless chicken, looking for a comment here or comment there, and these little storms in a tea-cup?"
Following the uproar over this remark, Sen later tendered his apology before Parliamentary Privileges Committee. Sen clarified:
" "My comment about "running round like headless chicken looking for a comment here or comment there" was a tactless observation on some of my media friends, and most certainly not with reference to any Honourable Member of Parliament.""
The Rajya Sabha panel too decided to close the issue since "Sen has tendered unconditional and sincere apologies". "In view of Sen's acceptance of having made the impugned remarks and that the same were unwarranted, and having tendered his unconditional apology, the Committee recommends that the matter should be allowed to rest here," the Rajya Sabha Committee said in its report tabled in the House.
In its uncharacteristic censure, The Rajya Sabha panel felt his remarks were
"not only in poor taste but also unwarranted .. personal frame of mind should not have influenced public utterances of a senior and experienced diplomat .. The Committee expects that such lapses, as admitted by him, shall not recur"
External links
- The Washington Diplomat Newspaper - Ambassador profile
- Profile on website of Indian embassy
- Ronen Sen lobbying for Dow Chemicals
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