Deepa Gopalan Wadhwa

A diplomat who worked in the field of Indian foreign affairs for over 36 years, promoting international cooperation and dialogue.

After joining the Ministry of External Affairs of India in 1979, she served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Sweden, Qatar, and Japan. She became the first Indian woman to be appointed Ambassador to Qatar. During her postings, she worked to strengthen bilateral relations while also participating in international conferences and negotiations on climate change, sustainable development, human rights, disarmament, and energy security, undertaking diplomatic responsibilities across a wide range of fields.

Through assignments in Europe, the Middle East, and Japan, she was also engaged in economic diplomacy related to trade, investment, and technological cooperation, contributing to the establishment of international partnerships. She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and is proficient in English, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, and Chinese.

Currently, she serves as Chair of the Japan–India Friendship Forum, as well as a council member of research institutions and an independent director of companies. As an Advisor to AWLF, she supports the development of next-generation women leaders and the strengthening of cooperation across Asia based on her diplomatic experience.

As of February 20, 2026