Several professionals of Indian heritage have taken on significant diplomatic and international economic responsibilities in 2026, building careers that span government, humanitarian work, diplomacy and global business. Among them are Tammy Sandhu, Aly-Khan Rajani and Varun Chandra, whose new assignments have placed them in important roles involving the Vatican, Brazil and the United States.
Sandhu’s diplomatic career has taken her through multiple international postings. Before becoming Britain’s ambassador to the Holy See, she served as deputy head of mission in Chennai and held roles at the UK Representation to the European Union in Brussels. Her overseas assignments also included Iraq, Kenya and Morocco. She later became His Majesty’s consul general in San Francisco, where she led British engagement with the United States across California and the Pacific Northwest.
In 2020, Sandhu moved into a senior role focused on ethnic and racial diversity within Britain’s diplomatic service. Her work on racial equity later earned her an MBE. Her appointment to the Holy See represents another significant stage in a career spanning more than two decades in British public service and international diplomacy.
Canada’s Rajani also brings a career shaped by international development and humanitarian work. Appointed consul general in Rio de Janeiro in June 2026, he succeeded François Jubinville. Born in Vancouver to immigrant parents, Rajani grew up in Edmonton after his family experienced displacement linked to the expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972.
He began his professional career with humanitarian organizations before joining Canada’s development agency in 2007. His subsequent assignments included work on Afghanistan, postings in Cairo and Beirut, and a role in New Delhi focused on advocacy and public affairs. In 2023, he became Canada’s ambassador to South Sudan.
Meanwhile, Chandra was appointed the UK’s special envoy to the United States for trade and investment in January 2026. The position complements his role as Prime Minister’s chief business, investment and trade adviser. Born in England to parents from Bihar, Chandra previously worked in corporate advisory and venture capital before entering government.
His current responsibilities include promoting British commercial interests in the US, with the two countries maintaining a major trading relationship. He has also met executives from companies including Microsoft, Amazon, Oracle, Apple and Meta.
Together, these appointments illustrate the varied paths followed by professionals of Indian heritage who have moved into influential international roles across diplomacy, trade and public service.
