Ms Meera Shankar joined the Indian Foreign Service in July 1973.

She has held several important assignments during her career: she served as Director in the Prime Minister's Office from 1985 to 1991; was posted to Washington DC and served as Minister (Commerce) from 1991 to 1995. Thereafter, she headed the Indian Council of Cultural Relations in New Delhi overseeing India's cultural diplomacy. Subsequently, in the Ministry of External Affairs, she headed two important divisions dealing with the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and relations with Nepal and Bhutan.

After promotion to the rank of Additional Secretary in 2002, she held the responsibility for the United Nations and International Security.

Her last assignment was as Ambassador of India to Germany from 1st December 2005 to 6th April 2009.

Ms Meera Shankar arrived in Washington DC on 26 April, 2009.

She is married and has a daughter.