Born: 1959

Speaks Urdu, Hindi, Russian, and English

Graduate of the Moscow State Institute of Foreign Affairs (MGIMO) Diplomatic Academy; after graduation, he worked on state committee on foreign economic ties in Moscow

August 1985 -- first secretary, department head within Foreign Ministry

January 1997-October 1999 -- first deputy foreign minister

October 1999-January 2002 -- foreign minister

January 2002 -- named first deputy foreign minister

June 2002 -- named ambassador to United Kingdom

Enjoys diplomatic status as ambassador-at-large