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{{short description|Indian diplomat}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Ajai Malhotra
| image = Dmitry_Medvedev_with_ambassadors_14_July_2011-8.jpeg
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birth_date = 21 November 1953
| birth_place = [[India]]
|nationality = Indian
|office = Former Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation
|term_start = 16 May 2011
|predecessor =
|office1 =
|term1 =
|predecessor1 = [[Prabhat Prakash Shukla]]
|successor1 = [[P. S. Raghavan]]
|occupation = Diplomat
|awards = [[Doctor of Letters]]
|spouse = Ira Malhotra
}}
'''Ajai Malhotra''' is a former [[Indian Foreign Service|Indian career diplomat]] who served as Ambassador of India to the [[Russian Federation]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian Ambassadors To Russia |url=http://indianembassy.ru/index.php/en/embassy/indian-ambassadors-to-russia |accessdate=7 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802113750/http://www.indianembassy.ru/index.php/en/embassy/indian-ambassadors-to-russia |archivedate=2 August 2013 }}</ref> He is the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee to the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]], Geneva.

== Background and education ==
Malhotra is the son of [[General|Gen.]] [[Om Prakash Malhotra]], former [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]]. During his childhood, his father was posted at various locations across India and abroad, and therefore Malhotra attended several different Army Schools. He completed his schooling from [[St. Xavier's School, Delhi]]. He earned his B.A. (Hons.) in Economics from [[Hindu College, University of Delhi]] and his M.A. in economics from the [[Delhi School of Economics]].{{fact|date=August 2020}} Malhotra speaks English, Hindi, Russian, German and [[Swahili language|Kiswahili]].{{fact|date=August 2020}}

== Diplomatic career ==
He joined the [[Indian Foreign Service]] in 1977. From 1979–1982 he served at the High Commission in Nairobi, handling political work relating to [[Kenya]] and India's relations with [[Seychelles]]. From 1982–1985 he was Second Secretary (Pol.)/First Secretary (Pol.) at the Indian Embassy in Moscow.

From 1985, he served as First Secretary (Pol.) at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in [[Geneva]], where he handled work related to the [[WHO]], [[WIPO]], [[ILO]] and other UN agencies, represented India on the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association and also participated in annual meetings of the [[UN Human Rights Commission]]. He returned to the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]], New Delhi in 1989, as a Deputy Secretary handling human rights and international environmental issues, and later Director handling all multilateral issues except disarmament. As regards human rights, this included guiding processes leading to the ratification by India of the UN [[Convention on the Rights of the Child]] in 1992, UN [[Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women]] in 1993, and the establishment of the [[National Human Rights Commission of India]].<ref name="ohchr.org">http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/AdvisoryCom/A_HRC_36_17_EN.docx</ref>

His association with global environmental issues has included participation in the UNEP Session of a Special Character: Ten Years after Stockholm (Nairobi; 1982); contribution to the drafting of the 1990 London Amendments to the [[Montreal Protocol]] on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, [[Convention on Biological Diversity]], [[UN Framework Convention on Climate Change]], [[Rio Declaration on Environment and Development]], Statement of Principles on Forests, and [[Agenda 21]]; and participation in the [[UN Conference on Environment and Development]] (Rio de Janeiro; 1992).<ref>Mukund Govind Rajan, Global Environmental Politics: India and the North-South Politics of Global Environmental Issues, Oxford University Press, 1997, pgs 24,71-72</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.teriin.org/?option=com_aboutus&id=3228&p=emp&view=profile&Itemid=181|title=TERI: Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Development - India|website=www.teriin.org|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref> He was a member of the UNEP group of legal experts to examine the concept of "Common Concern of Mankind" in relation to global environmental issues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://revistas-colaboracion.juridicas.unam.mx/index.php/rev-instituto-interamericano-dh/article/viewFile/7787/7024|title=2nd Meeting of the group of legal experts to examine the concept of the "common concern of mankind" in relation to global environmental issues|last=|first=|date=|website=|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref>

He was Counsellor (Information) at the Indian Embassy, Moscow, from 1993–1996, returning to the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, as Director/Joint Secretary and guided India's foreign relations with 22 Central and Eastern European countries, including Russia.
In 1999, he was assigned as Minister (Commerce) at the Embassy of India, Washington, D.C. where he served till 2003. He was also Vice Chairman (2000–2001), First Vice Chairman (2001–2002) and then Chairman (2002–2003) of the [[International Cotton Advisory Committee]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.icac.org/psap/documents/psap_public/misc/psap_reception_may03.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=1 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105211615/http://www.icac.org/psap/documents/psap_public/misc/psap_reception_may03.pdf |archive-date=5 November 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Ajai Malhotra's served as Ambassador of India to [[Romania]] (with concurrent accreditation to [[Moldova]] and [[Albania]]) from 2003 to 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/9157/Appointment+of+Shri+Ajai+Malhotra+as+the+next+Ambassador+of+India+to+Romania|title=Appointment of Shri Ajai Malhotra as the next Ambassador of India to Romania|website=www.mea.gov.in|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/8723/Appointment+of+Shri+Ajai+Malhotra+as+the+next+Ambassador+of+India+to+the+Republic+of+Moldova|title=Appointment of Shri Ajai Malhotra as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Moldova|website=www.mea.gov.in|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/7928/Appointment+of+Shri+Ajai+Malhotra+as+the+next+Ambassador+of+India+to+Republic+of+Albania|title=Appointment of Shri Ajai Malhotra as the next Ambassador of India to Republic of Albania|website=www.mea.gov.in|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref>

From 2005–2009, he was Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN, New York. Based on leaked American diplomatic cables, published by [[WikiLeaks]], it was reported that Ajai Malhotra was posted to the UN Mission, New York to balance the anti-US decisions taken by [[Nirupam Sen]], then Permanent Representative of India, to the UN.<ref name="06USUNNEWYORK1033_a">{{cite journal| last =D.Wolff| first =Alejandro| title =INDIAN DPR PLEDGES TO COOPERATE WITH USG ON NEPAL, UN BUDGET, AND SYG SELECTION| id={{WikiLeaks cable|06USUNNEWYORK1033_a}} | publisher =[[WikiLeaks]]| date =19 May 2006| url =https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/06USUNNEWYORK1033_a.html | accessdate =10 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Sreenivasan|first1=TP|title=WikiLeaks: Indian diplomats emerge unscathed|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/column/indian-diplomats-america-wikileaks/20110325.htm|accessdate=24 June 2013|work=Rediff.com|date=25 March 2011}}</ref> He participated in the negotiations leading to the setting up of the [[UN Democracy Fund]], the [[UN Peacebuilding Commission]] and the [[UN Human Rights Council]].<ref>https://www.pminewyork.org/adminpart/uploadpdf/53261ind1206.pdf</ref><ref name="ohchr.org"/> His pivotal role in the development of the [[United Nations Democracy Fund]] was cited by the awards committee of the Palmer Prize for Advancing Democracy, awarded by the [[Council for a Community of Democracies]].<ref>Bob R. LaGamma. "Palmer Prize honors diplomats for Advancing Democracy" (PDF). Council for Community of Democracies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 July 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2013.</ref>

He was Ambassador of India to [[Kuwait]] from 2009–2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=H.H. the Amir receives credential of foreign diplomats|url=http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1985335&language=en|accessdate=10 August 2013|date=24 March 2009|agency=KUNA – Kuwait News Agency|location=Kuwait}}</ref><ref name=atam>{{cite news|title=Indian Envoy Leaving Kuwait – End of Successful Tenure|url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/167609/reftab/67/t/Indian-envoy-leaving-Kuwait/Default.aspx|accessdate=10 August 2013|newspaper=Arab Times|date=5 April 2011|location=Kuwait}}</ref> He was responsible for expanding the protection of Indian workers in Kuwai and set up a safe house, especially for domestic workers in distress.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kuwait's Indian embassy sets model to help workers in distress|url=http://www.sify.com/news/kuwait-s-indian-embassy-sets-model-to-help-workers-in-distress-news-international-lc1qufcgidd.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302101917/http://www.sify.com/news/kuwait-s-indian-embassy-sets-model-to-help-workers-in-distress-news-international-lc1qufcgidd.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 March 2011|accessdate=10 August 2013|newspaper=Sify|date=27 February 2011|agency=IANS}}</ref> His tenure was also highlighted by high level visits from India to Kuwait, including by the Vice-President of India, [[Mohammad Hamid Ansari|Hamid Ansari]]<ref name=atam /> and [[S. M. Krishna]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Krishna to seek closer ties with Kuwait|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/krishna-to-seek-closer-ties-with-kuwait/article100370.ece|accessdate=10 August 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=4 February 2010}}</ref> former External Affairs Minister.

He was the Ambassador of India to Russia from 16 May 2011 – 30 November 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbth.com/arts/2013/08/08/p_s_raghavan_to_be_indias_next_ambassador_in_russia_28167|title=P S Raghavan to be India's next ambassador in Russia|last1=Sharma|first1=Rajeev|last2=RIR|first2=specially for|date=2013-08-08|website=www.rbth.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref> His tenure saw the visit of Indian Prime Minister, [[Manmohan Singh]] in mid-December 2011 to Russia, and Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] to India in March 2012 for the [[BRICS]] summit in New Delhi. It also saw visits to India in December 2012 by Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] and to Russia by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in September 2013 for the G20 Summit in St. Petersburg and in November 2013 to Moscow for the annual India-Russia Bilateral Summit. The 65th anniversary of bilateral Indo-Russian diplomatic relations was marked with year-long celebrations during his tenure.<ref>{{cite news|title=65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations will be celebrated throughout the year – Ambassador Malhotra|url=http://indrus.in/articles/2012/03/15/bilateral_agreements_are_not_usually_signed_during_a_visit_for_a_mul_15150.html|accessdate=10 August 2013|newspaper=Russia & India report|date=15 March 2012|agency=Interfax}}</ref> It also saw the induction of three [[Talwar-class frigate]]s into the [[Indian Navy]] fleet, [[INS Teg (F45)|INS Teg]], [[INS Tarkash (F50)|INS Tarkash]], and [[INS Trikand (F51)|INS Trikand]],<ref>[http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-06-29/news/40271741_1_indian-navy-close-in-weapon-system-ins-trikand India Inducts New Power-Packed Stealth Frigates]. ''The Economic Times.'' Retrieved 16 August 2013</ref> as well as India's nuclear powered submarine [[INS Chakra (2011)]]<ref>{{cite news|title=INS Chakra commissioned to Indian Navy|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/news/ins-chakra-commissioned-to-indian-navy|newspaper=The Sunday Guardian|date=23 January 2012}}</ref> and aircraft carrier [[INS Vikramaditya]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Aircraft carrier Vikramaditya inducted into Indian Navy|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/131116/news-current-affairs/article/aircraft-carrier-vikramaditya-inducted-indian-navy|agency=Press Trust of India|newspaper=Deccan Chronicle|date=17 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Speech by H.E. Mr. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India to Russia, at the commissioning of INS Vikramaditya into the Indian Navy; Severodvinsk, 16 November 2013.|url=http://indianembassy.ru/index.php/media-news/press-releases/984-speech-by-h-e-mr-ajai-malhotra-ambassador-of-india-to-russia-at-the-commissioning-of-ins-vikramaditya-into-the-indian-navy-severodvin|website=Embassy of India, Moscow|access-date=23 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623150802/http://indianembassy.ru/index.php/media-news/press-releases/984-speech-by-h-e-mr-ajai-malhotra-ambassador-of-india-to-russia-at-the-commissioning-of-ins-vikramaditya-into-the-indian-navy-severodvin|archive-date=23 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[INS Trikand (F51)|INS Trikand]] was launched by his wife, Mrs. Ira Malhotra.<ref name=trikand>{{cite web|title=Speech by H.E. Mr. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation, at the Commissioning Ceremony of INS Trikand at Kaliningrad, June 29, 2013|url=http://www.indianembassy.ru/index.php/en/media-news/press-releases/932-speech-by-h-e-mr-ajai-malhotra-ambassador-of-india-to-the-russian-federation-at-the-commissioning-ceremony-of-ins-trikand-at-kaliningrad-june-29-2013|publisher=Indian Embassy, Russia|accessdate=10 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929120114/http://www.indianembassy.ru/index.php/en/media-news/press-releases/932-speech-by-h-e-mr-ajai-malhotra-ambassador-of-india-to-the-russian-federation-at-the-commissioning-ceremony-of-ins-trikand-at-kaliningrad-june-29-2013|archive-date=29 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> He retired on 30 November 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=P S Raghavan to be India's next ambassador in Russia|url=http://indrus.in/arts/2013/08/08/p_s_raghavan_to_be_indias_next_ambassador_in_russia_28167.html|accessdate=10 August 2013|newspaper=Russia & India report|date=8 August 2013|author=Rajeev Sharma}}</ref>

==Later roles==
Since February 2014, Malhotra is the Chairman and Managing Trustee of Chikitsa<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chikitsatrust.org/board-of-trustees/|title=» Board of Trustees|website=chikitsatrust.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-23}}</ref> which provides free primary health care in underserved communities and [[Shiksha (NGO)|Shiksha]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Board of Trustees|url=http://shikshatrust.org/board-of-trustees/|website=Shiksha}}</ref> which provides free education and vocational training to underprivileged children and youth.

Since April 2014 he is a Distinguished Fellow & Senior Adviser (Climate Change) at [[The Energy and Resources Institute]], New Delhi.<ref>{{cite web|title=TERI – Profile|url=http://www.teriin.org/index.php?option=com_aboutus&id=3228&p=emp&view=profile&Itemid=181|website=The Energy Resources Institute}}</ref> Since 2015 he is Chairman of the Managing Committee of the NAB Centre for Blind Women & Disability Studies<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nabcentreforwomen.org/the-managing-comittee/|title=Managing Committee|last=|first=|date=|website=|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424091437/http://www.nabcentreforwomen.org/the-managing-comittee/|archive-date=24 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a member of the Editorial Board of the [[World Economy and International Relations]] Journal at the [[Institute of World Economy and International Relations]], Moscow.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imemo.ru/en/jour/meimo/index.php?page_id=687&id=55|title=Periodical Editions|website=www.imemo.ru|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref>

In 2015, he was elected Chairman of the Nehru Trust for the Indian Collections at the [[Victoria & Albert Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ambassador Ajai Malhotra IFS (Retd) becomes Chairman of the NTICVA|url=http://www.nehrutrustvam.org/ambassador-ajai-malhotra-ifs-retd-becomes-chairman-nticva-0|website=Nehru Trust for the Indian Collections at the Victoria & Albert Museum}}</ref>

On 20 November 2015, he was appointed an Independent Director of [[Oil and Natural Gas Corporation]] (ONGC).<ref>{{cite web|title=TERI – Profile|url=http://www.ongcindia.com/wps/wcm/connect/ongcindia/Home/Company/Board_of_Directors/Independent_Director/Ajai+Malhotra/|website=ONGC }}</ref>

On 16 January 2017, he was appointed an Independent Director of ONGC Videsh Limited.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ongcvidesh.com/company/board-of-directors/|title=Board of Directors {{!}} ONGC Videsh Ltd.|website=www.ongcvidesh.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-23}}</ref>

On 29 September 2017, he was elected by [[secret ballot]] to the Advisory Committee of the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]], Geneva.<ref>https://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpNewsByYear_en)/B55FBFBCC7F9BF61C12581AA0067DFA9?OpenDocument</ref>

On 7 October 2020, he was re-elected by [[acclamation]] to the Advisory Committee of the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]], Geneva.<ref>https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=26360&LangID=E</ref>

On 15 February 2021, he was elected the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee of the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]], Geneva, the first Indian to hold this position. <ref>https://www.aninews.in/news/world/europe/ajai-malhotra-becomes-first-indian-chairperson-of-advisory-committee-at-human-rights-council20210215235727/</ref>

== Recognition ==

In 2004, he was awarded a Doctorate ([[Honoris causa|Honoris Causa]]) by the [[Vasile Goldiș Western University of Arad]], Romania, in recognition of his work in support of environmental causes and sustainable development.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://dir.uvvg.ro/dhc.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=1 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213155945/http://dir.uvvg.ro/dhc.html |archive-date=13 December 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In 2011, he was cited by the awards committee of the Palmer Prize for Advancing Democracy, awarded by the [[Council for a Community of Democracies]] for his pivotal role in supporting democratic development and development of the [[United Nations Democracy Fund]] (UNDEF), and for being a forceful advocate of channelling UNDEF funds to civil society.<ref>{{cite web|title=Palmer Prize honors diplomats for Advancing Democracy |url=http://ccd21.org/pdf/vilnius_palmer_prize_press_release.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701010101/http://ccd21.org/pdf/vilnius_palmer_prize_press_release.pdf|publisher=Council for Community of Democracies |accessdate=10 August 2013 |author=Bob R. LaGamma |url-status=dead |archivedate=1 July 2011 }}</ref>

In 2015, he was conferred a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' by [[Hindu College, University of Delhi]] at its 13th Distinguished Alumni Awards in New Delhi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/india/20150418/2574744.html|title=Coca-Cola Pres India, Ashish Vidhyarti conferred with Hindu College Alumni Awards|website=news.webindia123.com|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

Ajai Malhotra is married to Ira Malhotra,<ref>{{cite web|title=Expanded cultural links benefit "both our peoples"- Ira Malhotra|url=http://indrus.in/arts/2013/05/27/expanded_cultural_links_benefit_both_our_peoples-_ira_malhotra_25415.html|publisher=Russia & India report|accessdate=10 August 2013}}</ref> who is a teacher and was the founding editor of 'Parenting' magazine in India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mrs Ira Malhotra: Our first lady of the Indian Embassy in Kuwait, a crusader for the cause of education|url=http://www.indiansinkuwait.com/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=5003&SECTION=0|publisher=Indians in Kuwait|accessdate=11 August 2013}}</ref> She launched the warship, the [[INS Trikand (F51)|INS Trikand]], which was delivered to India from Russia during his tenure.<ref name=trikand /> He has a son and a daughter. He is the son of [[General OP Malhotra]].

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|last1=Malhotra|first1=Ajai|title=Future Generations and International Law: Earthscan Law and Sustainable Development|year=1997|isbn=1-317-97178-7}}
* {{cite book|last1=Malhotra|first1=Ajai|title=India-Russia-China: Is There a Case for Strategic Partnership?|year=2015|isbn=9789384464653}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Malhotra|first=Ajai|title=Climate Change: Tackling the Challenge Confronting India|url=http://www.associationdiplomats.org/Publications/ifaj/Vol11/11.2/11.2-F-ARTICLE%201.pdf|journal=Indian Foreign Affairs Journal|volume=11|date=April–June 2016|pages=124–138}}

== References ==
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{{succession box|title=[[Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation]]|before=[[Prabhat Prakash Shukla]]|after=[[P.S. Raghavan]]|years=2011-2014}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Malhotra, Ajai}}
[[Category:Indian diplomats]]
[[Category:Human Rights Council Advisory Committee experts]]
[[Category:Indian Foreign Service officers]]
[[Category:Indian civil servants]]
[[Category:People from Kanpur]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Russia]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of India to Romania]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Hindu College, Delhi alumni]]
[[Category:Delhi School of Economics alumni]]
[[Category:1953 births]]

Ajai Malhotra - Revision history

>Citation bot at 10:01, 28 June 2021