C. V. Ranganathan was India’s Ambassador to China from 1987 to 1991 and France from 1991 to 1993. After Cottons (1945-48, Pettigrew), C. V. Ranganathan graduated in Economics from Madras University and joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1959. He learnt Chinese at the Hong Kong University between 1960 and 1962 and graduated with distinction. During his tenure as a Diplomat of almost thirty-five years, he spent almost twenty years either in China or Hong Kong or in New Delhi dealing with China. Considered as an authority on Sino-Indian relations, Mr. Ranganathan is a highly respected figure both in India as well as in China.

During his long and illustrious career, C. V. Ranganathan has held several interesting positions including having served as ‘second-in-line’ at the UN Mission in New York, Bonn (former West Germany) as well as having served as the High Commissioner to Ethiopia (1983-1985) and Moscow (1985-87). Just prior to his retirement in 1993, C. V. Ranganathan was India’s Ambassador to France. The highlight of his sparkling career has been his role as India’s Ambassador to China.

In his memoirs, C. V. Ranganathan recalls his assignment to Beijing in 1987, where he was previously posted as the First Secretary in the Indian Embassy from 1965 to 1968. His tenure as India’s Ambassador in China saw the emergence of a new and improved relationship between the two countries. Having carried out extensive groundwork, C. V. Ranganathan was one of the key factors for the successful visit of the Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to China in December 1997, which was the first visit by an Indian political Head of State to China in over three decades. This visit went a long way in overcoming the hostility that was shared between the two nations. The success of the Indian delegation can be assessed from the fact that the Indian motorcade was applauded by hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic citizens en route the State Guest House. In fact, as C. V. Ranganathan himself recalls, immediately after the departure of the Air India aircraft carrying the delegation, the Minister-in-waiting Qu Yuanjing turned around and hugged C. V. Ranganathan and his wife, and further, in an uncharacteristic gesture kissed him on both cheeks! This historical visit spearheaded by C. V. Ranganathan is still looked back at favourably for its tremendous impact on the Chinese psyche. Consequently, there occurred a brisk exchange of official and non-official delegations from various spheres in both countries from 1990 to till mid-1991.

The former Ambassador made several visits to Professor Ji Xianlan at Beijing University where he addressed an International Seminar in Chinese. During his tenure, C. V. Ranganathan also launched a Chinese translation of the volumes of Tulsidas’ Ramcharitra Manas and also presented several collections of classic and contemporary Indian books to the Beijing Library, the Institute of Foreign Languages and the Beijing University. Accompanied by his wife, C. V. Ranganathan also visited the India House at Kashgar and also built up contacts with the Director of Museum and Grottoes, Prof. Duan Wenjie. C. V. Ranganathan was also present during the unfolding of the Tiananamen Square debacle and was largely responsible for the safe return of several Indian diplomats and their families during the infamous incident.

C. V. Ranganathan’s views on geo-political relations with China are now legendary. A firm believer that the boundary issue has been exaggerated, he is quick to point out that not a single shot has been fired in anger in over twenty five years. Further, he strongly believes that the dispute can be resolved only if both the parties are willing to make some concessions, subject to public opinion and political consensus. Such a resolution can only be implemented dispassionately, ignoring the emotional hangover of the 1962 conflict as well as misconceptions with respect to Tibet. In fact, C. V. Ranganathan emphasises the factum of two agreements have been signed, in 1993 and 1996 respectively, specifically devoted to Confidence Building Measures in order to maintain de facto peace and harmony. Needless to add, C. V. Ranganathan has been a crucial player in improving the delicate Sino-Indian relations.

Drawing on his vast experience and expertise, C. V. Ranganathan has co-authored a book with Ambassador V. C. Khanna entitled India and China – The Way Ahead published in January 2000. Since his retirement, C. V. Ranganathan has acted as Senior Advisor to Sembawang Corporation, Singapore between 1995 and 1999. Notably, he served as the Convener, National Security Advisory Board, India, which is appointed by the Prime Minister. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi.

C. V. Ranganathan was spotted at Green and Gold Ball during St. Peter’s Tide 1998 and was recently a Speaker at the IT Global Summit in Bangalore. In recognition of his stellar role, C. V. Ranganathan was awarded the prestigious Nehru Fellowship in 1998.

Courtesy: Unfinished Symphony (2003)