Mohammad Hamid Ansari

Mohammad Hamid Ansari, born on April first, nineteen thirty-seven, is a distinguished retired Indian diplomat who made significant contributions to India's foreign relations. His career in the Indian Foreign Service began in nineteen sixty-one, and over the span of thirty-eight years, he held several prominent positions, including Indian ambassador to Australia, Afghanistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.

Ansari's diplomatic prowess was further exemplified during his tenure as the permanent representative of India to the United Nations from nineteen ninety-three to nineteen ninety-five. His leadership extended to academia as well, serving as the vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University from two thousand to two thousand two, and later as the chairman of the National Commission for Minorities from two thousand six to two thousand seven.

On August tenth, two thousand seven, Ansari was elected as the twelfth Vice President of India, officially taking office the following day. He was reelected on August seventh, two thousand twelve, with the oath-taking ceremony conducted by President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August eleventh, two thousand twelve. His tenure as vice president is notable for being tied with Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan for the longest in Indian history.

In two thousand seventeen, Ansari chose not to seek a third term in the vice presidential election, concluding a remarkable chapter in his public service career.