Harsh Bhasin

Visiting Professor
Asian and Asian American Studies


Visiting Professor of International Relations, Dept. of Asian & Asian-American Studies, State University of New York, Stony Brook, USA

    Previous Title 

    Ambassador of India to Denmark, Copenhagen

    Place and Date of Birth 

    Nurpur, Himachal Pradesh, India August 15, 1944; Citizen of India

    Marital Status 

    Married to Kumkum Bhasin (nee Angrish) Two children (son: 31, daughter: 25)

    Educational Qualifications 

  • GCE 'A' Level, London University, UK (1962)
  • B.Sc. (with Honors), Banaras Hindu University, India (1965)
  • M.Sc. (Geology), Banaras Hindu University, India (1967),

    Professional Qualifications 

  • Advanced Diploma in Chinese, Hong Kong University (1971)
  • Fellow, National Defence College, India (1986)
  • Fellow, CFIA, Harvard University, USA (1990-91)

    Awards 

  • Presidential Gold Medal (1967) for academic performance
  • Henry la Touche Medal (1968) for academic accomplishment
  • Bimal Sanyal Award (1993) for a professional paper on a current issue

    Publications 

  • India-China Relations - A Study (1986) (Paper of the Indian School of International Studies, New Delhi, India)
  • Political Dynamics of Internal Reform in South Africa (1991) (Paper of the Center for International Affairs, Harvard University, USA)

Professional Career Profile  

Following is a complete list of various diplomatic and other positions held by Ambassador Harsh Bhasin during his career:

  • Attache, External Publicity, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, India (1968)
  • Third Secretary, Commission of India, Hong Kong (1969-71)
  • Second Secretary, Indian Embassy, Beijing, China (1971-73)
  • Under Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi (1973-74)
  • First Secretary, Indian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur (1974-77)
  • First Secretary, Indian Embassy, Washington DC, USA (1978-81)
  • Commercial Counselor, Commission of India, Hong Kong (1982-85)
  • Deputy/Acting Director General, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, (1985-86)
  • High Commissioner of India, Gaborone, Botswana (1987-90),
    (Concurrently accredited to the Kingdom of Lesotho)
  • Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy, Kathmandu, Nepal (1991-93)
  • Consul General of India, Johannesburg, South Africa (1993-95)
  • Consul General of India, New York, USA (1995-1998)
  • High Commissioner of India, Pretoria, South Africa (1998–2000)
    (Concurrently accredited to the Kingdom of Lesotho)
  • Visiting Professor of International Relations, Political Science Department, State University of New York, Stony Brook, USA (Jan.2001-May 2002)
  • Ambassador-in-Waiting & Foreign Service Inspector, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi (June 2002-June 2003)
  • Ambassador of India to Denmark (Also covering the Faroe Islands and Greenland), June 2003-June 2005

    Family 

  • Son: Aditya Bhasin, M.S.(Dartmouth) Sr.Vice President, Bank of America, Charlotte, NC
  • Daughter-in-law: Catherine Helene Lamont, B.S. (Hamilton), M.B.A. (Wharton)
  • Daughter: Dr. Madhuri Bhasin, B.A. (Swarthmore), PhD (SUNY, Stony Brook)


    Courses Taught:

  • AAS 338
    J
    Contemporary India: History,Politics, and Diplomacy (Post-1947)
    Study of the forces shaping India?s post-independence history, domestic politics, and foreign diplomacy. As the world?s largest democracy, second most populous nation, and Asia?s second fastest growing economy, its impact on the international scene in the coming years will be carefully analyzed. The course, taught by a former Ambassador, will also focus on emerging trends in Indo-U.S. relations and impact of the Indian diaspora. This course is offered as both AAS 338 and POL 338.
    3 credits

  • AAS 339
    J
    Contemporary China: History,Politics, and Diplomacy (Post-1949)
    This course will analyze the evolution of major events in contemporary China following the communist revolution that led to the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949. The course, taught by a former Ambassador, will examine major political, economic, and social developments in light of both their general global impact and their particular relationship with the U.S. This course is offered as both AAS 339 and POL 339. Prerequisites: AAS 219 or POL 101; U3 or U4 standing
    3 credits
(Updated: March 12, 2006)