Diplomat who aided India’s N-future dead

New Delhi, July 26

Eminent diplomat Arundhati Ghose, who played a decisive role in India’s negotiations on Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) at Geneva in 1996, passed away late last night at the age of 76.

She was suffering from cancer and breathed her last at around 12:30 am at her residence in Palam Vihar in West Delhi, a family member said.

During her illustrious career, Ghose had served in a number of positions, including in Indian Missions in Austria, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, South Korea and Egypt. She was also the first Indian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Offices in Geneva.

Ghose was head of Indian delegation to the conference on the CTBT in Geneva in 1996 and is hailed for outlining India’s position in opposing the treaty. She had talked about the “discriminatory” treaty and famously said, “India will not sign this unequal treaty. Not now, not ever.” Vice-President Hamid Ansari said Ghose would be remembered for her services to the nation.

Born on November 25, 1939, she is sister of Bhaskar Ghose, ex-chairman of Prasar Bharati, and aunt of Sanjay Ghose, a social worker who was killed by ULFA militants in Assam in 1997. Ghose had retired from diplomatic services in November 1997. — PTI