Vijay Keshav Gokhale is a seasoned diplomat who served as India’s Foreign Secretary from 2018 to 2020. Widely respected for his deep understanding of China, he played a critical role in resolving the Doklam standoff during his tenure as India’s Ambassador to China.

A 1981-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, his postings have taken him across the globe, from Hong Kong and Hanoi to New York and Berlin. He has led high-stakes negotiations, shaped India’s foreign policy, and earned recognition as one of the country’s foremost voices on China strategy.

Currently a Senior Fellow at Carnegie India, Gokhale brings a rare blend of sharp geopolitical thinking and diplomatic calm. When he speaks, it’s less jargon, more substance…grounded, nuanced, and impossible to ignore.