Our Guests of Honour
K.P Fabian
Ambassador Kalarickal Pranchu Fabian is a distinguished veteran of the Indian Foreign Service, whose career spanned from 1964 to 2000 and encompassed critical diplomatic, strategic, and humanitarian roles. He served in a wide array of challenging postings, including Italy, Qatar, Finland, Iran, Sri Lanka, Austria, Canada, and Madagascar and has represented India at key global institutions such as the IAEA, UNIDO, FAO, WFP, IFAD, and ICAO. He also served as Joint-Secretary of the Gulf Division of India’s Ministry of External Affairs where he played a key role in negotiations with Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi government during Iraq’s conflict with Kuwait, resulting in the successful evacuation of over 170,000 Indian nationals in what is now considered the largest air evacuation conducted in history. Beyond diplomacy, he has also held several positions in the private sector including former director for Syndicate Bank and chairman at Banyan Tree Holdings. Ambassador Fabian is also an acclaimed author and has held several prominent roles in academia including visiting Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, the K.P.S. Menon Chair in Diplomatic Studies at Mahatma Gandhi University, and Professor at the Indian Society of International Law. Through his incisive commentary, deep historical insight, and real-world experience, Ambassador Fabian remains a powerful voice on India’s role in global diplomacy, strategic affairs, and international governance.
Rajendra Abhyankar
Ambassador Rajendra Abhyankar is a seasoned diplomat, scholar, and strategic thinker whose career spans over three decades at the highest levels of international affairs. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1968 and retired in 2005 having served as India’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg. During his distinguished diplomatic service, he also held key postings including Ambassador to Syria and Turkey, Ambassador to Azerbaijan, High Commissioner to Cyprus, Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and Consul General in San Francisco. From 2001 to 2004, he served as Secretary in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, overseeing India’s relations with the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Central Asia. Since retiring, he has bridged diplomacy and academia with equal finesse. He was Professor of Practice of Diplomacy and Public Affairs at Indiana University’s O’Neill School, and more recently Visiting Professor at Purdue University’s College of Liberal Arts, as well as Senior Fellow at the Purdue Center for Tech Diplomacy. Ambassador Abhyankar is also a respected author and speaks a variety of languages. His strategic insights into Middle Eastern politics, conflict resolution, economic diplomacy, and the future of tech diplomacy make him an authoritative voice on global affairs. His own diplomatic tenure coincided with some of the most critical geopolitical moments of recent history, and his academic work continues to shape thinking on India’s role in the world, regional security, and diplomatic innovation.