Dr. Shashi Tharoor is an Indian statesman, diplomat, and author whose career has bridged the worlds of international governance, national leadership, and cultural discourse. He served as India’s Minister of State for Human Resource Development and later for External Affairs, while representing Thiruvananthapuram as a Member of Parliament since 2009. His work in Indian public life has focused on education, innovation, and India’s role as a global actor in the twenty-first century.

Before entering national politics, Dr. Tharoor spent nearly three decades at the United Nations, rising to the position of Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information. In that role, he led global outreach and reform initiatives, shaping the UN’s engagement with governments, media, and civil society at a time of rapid change in international affairs. His UN career also included service with the Office of the Secretary-General and leadership of peacekeeping operations, giving him first-hand experience with conflict resolution and humanitarian action.

As a founder of The Hague Institute for Global Justice, Dr. Tharoor contributed his wide-ranging expertise in diplomacy, governance, and public communication. His vision underscored the Institute’s mission of making international justice accessible not only to states and institutions, but also to the broader global public.

An acclaimed writer and public intellectual, Dr. Tharoor is the author of numerous award-winning books on Indian history, international relations, and global governance. Recognized for both his eloquence and his ideas, he has been a powerful advocate for pluralism, multilateralism, and the role of dialogue in advancing justice and peace.