P.S. Gangadhar
Consul General of India
Cape Town
P. S. Gangadhar is a career diplomat with over two decades of experience in diplomacy and academics. He is an economist and one of the leading experts on economic diplomacy in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). In his diplomatic career, his skilful negotiations have helped deliver several agreements pertaining to trade, investment, technology, development cooperation, defence and security. He has also pioneered many novel initiatives for his government in the areas of investment facilitation, manufacturing, CleanTech and emerging technologies.
2. He assumed the post of Consul General of India in Cape Town on 03 October 2023. Prior to this, he was India’s Ambassador/Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva from January 2020 to August 2023, where he worked to advance India’s trade interests and strengthen relationships with India’s key trade partners. From 2016 to early 2020, he served in the Americas Division of the Foreign Ministry in Delhi, first as Deputy Secretary (2016-17) and later as Director (2018-2020), handling bilateral relations with the United States and Canada. During this tenure, he was actively involved in trade negotiations with the United States and strived to resolve outstanding bilateral trade issues. He actively contributed to the successful negotiation of key bilateral cooperation agreements with the U.S. and also steered India’s engagements under the Quad and Trilateral Frameworks, particularly the development cooperation initiatives in infrastructure and connectivity.
3. During 2013-2016 he served as the Head of the Economic and Commercial Wing at the Indian Embassy in Berlin, during which he conceptualized and implemented an Investment Facilitation Programme - Make in India Mittelstand (MIIM). A first-of-its kind initiative involving public and private sector stakeholders, to help German MSMEs investing in India. He has also served at the Indian Embassy in Damascus from 2007-2012 and as Officer Trainee in the Gulf Division at the Foreign Ministry during 2006-07.
4. He is a post-graduate in economics with a gold medal and has taught economics at the University of Delhi (2001-2004) and the University of Mysore (2000-01). Apart from English, Hindi and his mother tongue Kannada, he also speaks Arabic. His interests include golfing, skiing, hiking, travelling, music and movies.
