List of Foreign Ministers of India

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.

Updated On - 12 Feb 2026
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Here is the complete list of Foreign Ministers of India from 1947 to present:

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

FAQs on Foreign Minister of India

  • Who is the current Foreign Minister of India?

    The current Foreign Minister of India is Dr. S. Jaishankar, serving since May 2019.

  • Who was the first Foreign Minister of India?

    The first Foreign Minister of India was Jawaharlal Nehru, who also served as the country’s first Prime Minister.  

  • How many Foreign Ministers has India had so far?

      Since independence, India has had more than 30 Foreign Ministers, including full-time and interim appointments.  

  • Can the Prime Minister of India also act as the Foreign Minister?

    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.

  • What are the responsibilities of the Foreign Minister of India?

    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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