The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) handles India’s foreign policy and global relations. The External Affairs Minister plays a key role in representing the nation internationally and strengthening diplomatic ties.
Minister Name | Duration | Political Party |
S. Jaishankar (Current Foreign Ministers) | 31 May 2019 – present | Bharatiya Janata Party |
Sushma Swaraj | 26 May 2014 – 30 May 2019 | Bharatiya Janata Party |
Salman Khurshid | 28 Oct 2012 – 26 May 2014 | Indian National Congress |
S. M. Krishna | 23 May 2009 – 28 Oct 2012 | Indian National Congress |
Pranab Mukherjee | 24 Oct 2006 – 22 May 2009 | Indian National Congress |
Manmohan Singh | 6 Nov 2005 – 24 Oct 2006 | Indian National Congress |
Natwar Singh | 23 May 2004 – 6 Nov 2005 | Indian National Congress |
Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 19 Mar 1998 – 22 May 2004 | Bharatiya Janata Party |
I. K. Gujral | 21 Apr 1997 – 19 Mar 1998 | Janata Dal |
H. D. Deve Gowda | 1 Jun 1996 – 21 Apr 1997 | Janata Dal |
Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 16 May 1996 – 1 Jun 1996 | Bharatiya Janata Party |
P. V. Narasimha Rao | 21 Jun 1991 – 16 May 1996 | Indian National Congress (I) |
Chandra Shekhar | 10 Nov 1990 – 21 Jun 1991 | Samajwadi Janata Party (R) |
V. P. Singh | 2 Dec 1989 – 10 Nov 1990 | Janata Dal |
Rajiv Gandhi | 31 Oct 1984 – 2 Dec 1989 | Indian National Congress (I) |
Indira Gandhi | 31 Oct 1984 – 31 Oct 1984 | Indian National Congress (I) |
P. V. Narasimha Rao | 14 Jan 1980 – 31 Oct 1984 | Indian National Congress (I) |
Shyam Nandan Mishra | 28 Jul 1979 – 14 Jan 1980 | Janata Party (Secular) |
Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 26 Mar 1977 – 28 Jul 1979 | Janata Party |
Indira Gandhi | 24 Jan 1966 – 24 Mar 1977 | Indian National Congress |
Gulzarilal Nanda | 11 Jan 1966 – 24 Jan 1966 | Indian National Congress |
Lal Bahadur Shastri | 9 Jun 1964 – 11 Jan 1966 | Indian National Congress |
Gulzarilal Nanda | 27 May 1964 – 9 Jun 1964 | Indian National Congress |
Jawaharlal Nehru | 15 Aug 1947 – 27 May 1964 | Indian National Congress |
The current Foreign Minister of India is Dr. S. Jaishankar, serving since May 2019.
The first Foreign Minister of India was Jawaharlal Nehru, who also served as the country’s first Prime Minister.
Since independence, India has had more than 30 Foreign Ministers, including full-time and interim appointments.
Yes, several Prime Ministers such as Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Manmohan Singh have also held the charge of Foreign Minister during their tenure.
The Foreign Minister of India is responsible for managing foreign policy, representing India globally, building diplomatic relations, and strengthening international trade and security partnerships.

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