International Day of Women in Diplomacy: India’s pathbreaking women diplomats

Global gender equality commitments remain unfulfilled, with women facing systemic discrimination, stereotyping, and political violence have limited women’s diplomatic roles, but Indian women diplomats have consistently shattered glass ceilings in India and abroad. From CB Muthamma (India’s first woman IFS officer) to contemporary diplomats like Ruchira Kamboj and others, women have proven that talent knows no gender.

This International Day of Women in Diplomacy which is on June 24th, we turn our spotlight on five trailblazing Indian women diplomats who redefined foreign policy. Their journeys expose both progress and persistent challenges, offering a roadmap for true equality. Before that, a bit about the International Day of Women in Diplomacy.

Why International Day of Women in Diplomacy?

According to United Nations data (1992–2019), women comprised only 13% of peace negotiators, 6% of mediators, and 6% of signatories globally. Accelerating gender equality and women’s empowerment is critical to achieving all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5’s call for equal participation in leadership. The UN emphasises that systematically integrating gender perspectives into the 2030 Agenda implementation remains vital to transform these disparities into progress

At the UNGA’s 76th Session in 2021, the General Assembly by consensus declared the 24th of June each year to be the International Day of Women in Diplomacy. By the resolution (A/RES/76/269) the Assembly invited all Member States, United Nations organizations, non-governmental groups, academic institutions and associations of women diplomats — where they exist — to observe the Day in a manner that each considers most appropriate, including through education and public awareness-raising.

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit: A trailblazer in diplomacy and politics

Vijaya Lakshmi Nehru Pandit made history in 1937 when she became India’s first female cabinet minister, serving as the Minister of Local Self-Government and Public Health in the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh). This groundbreaking appointment marked the beginning of an extraordinary career that would shape both Indian politics and global diplomacy.

After India gained independence in 1947, Pandit emerged as a leading figure on the international stage. She served as India’s ambassador to the Soviet Union (1947–49), the United States and Mexico (1949–51), and the United Kingdom and Ireland (1955–61)—becoming the first Indian woman to hold such prestigious diplomatic posts. Her eloquence, intellect, and unwavering commitment to India’s sovereignty earned her widespread respect.

In 1953, she achieved another historic milestone by becoming the first woman president of the United Nations General Assembly, a testament to her diplomatic prowess and leadership. During her tenure, she championed decolonization, human rights, and peaceful conflict resolution, reflecting India’s non-aligned stance during the Cold War.

Beyond diplomacy, Pandit remained an influential political figure in India. She was elected to the Lok Sabha in the 1960s and later served as Governor of Maharashtra (1962–64). A vocal critic of her niece Indira Gandhi’s Emergency (1975–77), she courageously opposed authoritarianism, proving her commitment to democratic values.

Vijaya Lakshmi Nehru Pandit’s legacy endures as a symbol of women’s empowerment, diplomatic excellence, and principled leadership—inspiring generations of Indians, especially women, to break barriers in public service.

Hansa Mehta: The feminist icon who redefined human rights

Hansa Mehta was the trailblazing Indian feminist, diplomat, and educator whose relentless advocacy ensured that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) truly lived up to its name. Her pivotal intervention changed history—replacing “All men are born free and equal” with “All human beings are born free and equal” in Article 1 of the UDHR, making it inclusive for women everywhere.

Born on July 3, 1897, Hansa Mehta was a scholar, social reformer, and fierce advocate for women’s rights. As President of the All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) in 1946, she drafted the Indian Women’s Charter of Rights, demanding gender equality, civil liberties, and justice. Many of these later shaped India’s Constitution. She was also a member of the Constituent Assembly, influencing key gender-neutral provisions in India’s founding document.

As one of the only two women (alongside Eleanor Roosevelt) on the UN Commission on Human Rights, Mehta played a crucial role in drafting the UDHR.  

CB Muthamma: India’s first woman diplomat who shattered glass ceilings

Chonira Belliappa Muthamma, affectionately known as “Muthu,” made history in 1949 as India’s first woman career diplomat, shattering gender barriers in what was then an exclusively male bastion. Born on January 24, 1924, in Karnataka, Muthamma grew up during India’s freedom struggle, inspired by pioneering women like Sarojini Naidu and Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit. Her widowed mother’s determination to educate her three daughters against societal prejudices instilled in Muthamma an unshakable confidence.

Entering the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) just two years after Independence, Muthamma confronted systemic discrimination head-on. At the time, married women were barred from joining the IFS under the absurd assumption they might leak state secrets to their husbands. Though this rule was eventually abolished, Muthamma spent her career battling deeper prejudices that questioned women’s capabilities in diplomacy. Her intellectual brilliance and mastery of international affairs quickly proved such biases unfounded.

Muthamma’s legacy extends beyond her diplomatic postings—which included key roles in London, Rangoon, and New York—to her fierce advocacy for gender equality and India’s strategic autonomy. Her 2003 book “Slain By The System” reveals a razor-sharp mind that challenged diplomatic orthodoxies, from non-alignment (“not independence but dependence on both blocs”) to global power asymmetries. She argued passionately that India’s civilizational depth, diversity, and strategic location demanded an assertive foreign policy free from borrowed slogans.

Even after retirement, Muthamma remained a vocal critic of institutional sexism. In a landmark 1979 case, she successfully sued the government for denying her promotion due to gender—a watershed moment for women in civil services. Today, as women comprise nearly 30% of IFS officers.

Her legacy endures not just in shattered glass ceilings but in her unwavering belief that India’s global stature hinges on empowering all its citizens equally.

Arundhati Ghose: A titan of Indian diplomacy

Arundhati Ghose, the formidable Indian Foreign Service officer was the face of India’s defiant diplomacy during the critical 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) negotiations. A 1963 IFS batch officer, Ghose’s illustrious 34-year career was marked by intellectual brilliance and an uncompromising commitment to India’s national interests.

Beginning her diplomatic journey with postings in Austria, the Netherlands, and Bangladesh, Ghose first demonstrated her strategic acumen during the 1971 Liberation War, where as liaison officer she played a crucial role in supporting Bangladesh’s government-in-exile – a contribution that later earned her the Bangladesh Freedom Award. Her career trajectory saw her rise to key positions, including heading India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and pioneering the Economic Relations Division during India’s 1991 market reforms as Additional Secretary.

However, it was her 1996 stand at the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva that cemented her legacy. As head of India’s delegation, Ghose artfully resisted intense international pressure to sign the CTBT, delivering India’s historic refusal with her iconic declaration: “India will never sign this unequal treaty – not now, not later.” This showcased her exceptional diplomatic skills in safeguarding India’s nuclear sovereignty.

Chokila Iyer: India’s first woman Foreign Secretary

Chokila Iyer, India’s first woman Foreign Secretary (2001), broke barriers with her historic appointment. Despite her “unexceptional” postings (Seychelles, Mexico, Ireland), her selection reflected a rare consensus between PMO and MEA, avoiding bureaucratic strife caused by superseding senior officers. A 1964 IFS topper and the second-seniormost in her batch, Iyer was praised as a “decent, dignified, and correct officer,” known for her reliability in executing policy. Her Sikkimese-Darjeeling roots (she often wore traditional baku at work) symbolised inclusivity. Colleagues highlighted her earnestness, charm, and ability to adapt despite lacking “critical” postings in major capitals or neighbouring countries. 

While critics questioned her experience, her tenure marked a milestone for gender and regional representation, proving that merit could emerge from quiet consistency. Her rise, devoid of lobbying or speculation, underscored serendipity and systemic evolution. Hers was a triumph of substance over spectacle in India’s diplomatic history. She was later appointed as Vice Chairperson (with the rank of Minister of State), the National Commission for Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes from July, 2002 to July, 2004.  She was also elected as a Member to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2002-04).

The extraordinary journeys of Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Hansa Mehta, C.B. Muthamma, Arundhati Ghose, and Chokila Iyer collectively dismantled the gendered barriers of Indian diplomacy. These trailblazers did more than break glass ceilings—they rebuilt the architecture of India’s foreign service, ensuring future generations of women could walk through doors they had forced open. Pandit’s audacity at the UN, Mehta’s feminist rewriting of global human rights, Muthamma’s legal battles against systemic discrimination, Ghose’s unyielding stand for nuclear sovereignty, and Iyer’s quiet shattering of regional and gender stereotypes created a legacy that resonates today.

They will inspire generations of Indian women

Diplomats like Ambassador Vijay Thakur Singh (first woman MEA Secretary [East]), Sneha Dubey (viral UN speech on Pakistan), and Ruchira Kamboj (India’s first female Permanent Representative to the UN) and many other women diplomats are torch bearers of this legacy. 

From negotiating peace deals to leading G20 discussions, today’s women diplomats stand on the shoulders of these giants. As India pushes for a UNSC permanent seat, their stories remind us that inclusive diplomacy isn’t just about fairness, it’s about harnessing the full spectrum of talent to shape a world where, as Mehta envisioned, all human beings truly matter.

On the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, we celebrate the indomitable legacy of India’s pioneering women diplomats who defied prejudice to redefine the rules of global engagement. Their stories are not just history but a living compass for gender-equal foreign policy. This article is a call to action: to recognize how far we’ve come, demand how much further we must go, and ensure that young girls worldwide see corridors of power as spaces they rightfully own.