Draft:Latha Reddy

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Vijaya Latha Reddy
Deputy National Security Advisor of India
In office
2011–2013
Preceded byShekhar Dutt
Personal details
BornVijaya Latha Reddy
University of Madras
University of Bangalore
OccupationDiplomat, cybersecurity expert

Vijaya Latha Reddy (also known as Latha Reddy) is a retired Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer and national security expert. She served in the IFS for 36 years (1975–2011), holding postings across multiple continents. She subsequently served as India's Deputy National Security Advisor in the Prime Minister's Office from 2011 to 2013, where she was responsible for cybersecurity and other critical internal and external security issues.[1] Following her retirement from government service, she has become a prominent voice in global cybersecurity governance and internet policy.

Diplomatic career (1975–2011)

Early postings and career overview

Reddy joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1975. During her 36-year diplomatic career, she served in missions across multiple continents including postings in Lisbon, Washington D.C., Kathmandu, Brasilia, Durban, Vienna, and Bangkok. A profile in the Deccan Herald in 2009 described her as a pioneering figure in Indian diplomacy.[2]

She was among the early generation of women officers who rose to senior positions in India's foreign service. A Telegraph India report noted that she was one of the pioneers who paved the way for greater representation of women in the IFS.[3]

Ambassador to Thailand (2007–2009)

Reddy served as Ambassador of India to Thailand. Her appointment is recorded in the official directory of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.[4]

Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs (2010–2011)

The final posting of her foreign service career was as Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. In this capacity, she gave a formal briefing on the President of India's visit to the UAE and Syria.[5]

Deputy National Security Advisor (2011–2013)

Reddy was appointed as India's Deputy National Security Advisor in the Prime Minister's Office in 2011, serving until 2013. She assisted National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon and was responsible for cybersecurity and other critical internal and external security issues.[6][7]

Post-retirement roles

Cybersecurity and internet governance

After retiring from government service, Reddy became an active commentator and participant in international cybersecurity policy. She served as Co-Chairman of the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace (GCSC), alongside Michael Chertoff. Writing for the GCSC, she co-authored a piece on the challenges of building international norms for cybersecurity.[8]

She also contributed to the Atlantic Council's work on cybersecurity, including a publication on addressing India's cyber threats[9] and participated in an Atlantic Council event on nontraditional security threats in South Asia.[10]

In November 2023, she was quoted in both ANI and the Hindustan Times on the difficulty of distinguishing deepfake videos from genuine footage, speaking as a former Deputy National Security Advisor.[11][12]

Writing and public commentary

Reddy has written for and been featured in several major Indian publications. She contributed an article to The Economic Times on the need for polylateralism to revive multilateralism.[13]

She wrote a personal tribute to filmmaker Shyam Benegal for The Wire following his death.[14]

She has also contributed to articles published by The Hindu, including a piece on India's foreign policy and the "Non-Alignment 2.0" policy report.[15]

In March 2024, she was quoted in a report on women in diplomacy, arguing that women perform better as diplomats in certain respects.[16]

Deccan heritage and cultural interests

Reddy serves as Chairperson of the Deccan Heritage Foundation India and has been involved in cultural preservation and history. She participated in a book launch event honouring former UN diplomat E.S. Reddy, as reported in The Indian Express.[17]

References

  1. "South Block Watch". The New Indian Express. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  2. "Diva of diplomacy". Deccan Herald. 13 November 2009. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  3. "In foreign service, rise of F-force". The Telegraph. 04 January 2010. Retrieved 2026-04-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. "Ambassador of the Republic of India to Thailand". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand. 16 November 2009. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  5. "Briefing by Secretary (East) on President's Visit to UAE and Syria". Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  6. "South Block Watch". The New Indian Express. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  7. "Sartorial foreign statement". The Telegraph. 09 August 2009. Retrieved 2026-04-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. "A Difficult Road to International Norms for Cybersecurity". Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  9. "Addressing India's cyber threats". Atlantic Council. 1 November 2013. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  10. "Addressing nontraditional security threats in South Asia". Atlantic Council. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  11. "Technology is becoming so advanced that it's hard to distinguish between deepfakes". ANI. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  12. "Technology is so advanced that it's hard to distinguish between deepfakes and genuine footage". Hindustan Times. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  13. "Polylateralism imperative for resurrecting multilateralism". The Economic Times. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  14. "My Friend Shyam Benegal". The Wire. 25 December 2024. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  15. "India needs 'NonAlignment 2.0', new policy report says". The Hindu. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  16. "Women Doing Better As Diplomats". NRI News. 02 March 2024. Retrieved 2026-04-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. "Former UN diplomat E S Reddy who fought against apartheid remembered at book launch". The Indian Express. 06 January 2024. Retrieved 2026-04-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

Category:Indian Foreign Service officers Category:Indian women diplomats Category:Ambassadors of India to Portugal Category:Ambassadors of India to Thailand Category:University of Madras alumni Category:Living people Category:Indian women in politics