M.K. Narayanan

M.K. NARAYANAN is a former civil servant with a deep understanding of, and expertise regarding, India’s political, economic, security and social issues. A specialist in strategic and security matters, he is widely regarded as an expert on national security, strategic intelligence and counter terrorism. Narayanan headed the Intelligence Bureau for two terms – from 1987to 1990 and 1991 to 1992. In between, he headed the Joint Intelligence Committee of the Government of India. He was appointed Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of India for Security and Intelligence in May 2004. In January 2005, he was appointed National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister. Narayanan has led India in institutionalised strategic and security dialogues with several countries including the U.S., China, Russia, France and the U.K. He was the principal negotiator for the iconic India-U.S. nuclear deal. He was the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for boundary talks with China. Narayanan was appointed Governor of West Bengal in January 2010 and remained in office till July 2014.