We are beyond thrilled to present you with another virtual literary discussion! Please join Author Nirupama Rao as she discusses her most recent book, The Fractured Himalaya, in conversation with Mr. Frank Wisner on

Nishant Pandey
CEO, AIF


About The Fractured Himalaya
Taking a deep dive into the early years of India and China, The Fractured Himalaya unravels the complex relationship between the two nations, and discusses the crucial turning points that shaped current policies and influenced today’s ongoing debate. Author Rao brings her extensive personal knowledge of international policies and reflects on the intertwining history between the nations involved in the India-China relations.
Conversation with Nirupama Rao & Frank Wisner
A virtual book reading on the Fractured Himalayas
About The Author
A strong advocate for utilizing social media as a platform to speak about policy, Ms. Nirupama Rao is a former Indian Foreign Service officer, who retired as Foreign Secretary to the Government of India. She was also India’s first woman Ambassador to Sri Lanka (2004-06), China (2006-09), and the United States (2011-13). During her retirement, she was invited to teach at various universities. To name a few, Ms. Rao was a Senior Visiting Fellow in International and Public Affairs at the Watson Institute at Brown University, and George Ball Adjunct Professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. In addition to her fellowships, Ms. Rao received many awards for her contributions to the role of women in public service. In 2018, she received the Citizen Extraordinaire Award of Rotary International, and the Fellowship of Peace Award of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Center in Washington D.C.
Ms. Rao’s dedication to international policies and affairs brought her to being a board member of numerous councils that focus on humanitarian issues and international relations, such as the Indian Council for Research in International Economic Relations (ICRIER), US India Business Council and the World Refugee and Migration Council. She is also the Founder-Trustee of The South Asian Symphony Foundation. Ms. Rao currently serves as the Chair of AIF’s India Trustee Board.

Nirupama Rao
Former Foreign Secretary of India;Former Indian Ambassador to
Washington and Beijing
About the Moderator
Mr. Frank Wisner is an International Affairs Advisor at Squire Patton Boggs, LLP. Prior to his current position, Mr. Wisner served as the U.S. ambassador to India (1994-97), the Philippines (1991-92), Egypt (1986-91), Zambia (1972-82). His diplomatic career spans four decades at the State Department, where he also held several positions in the U.S. government, and served in the Middle East and South and East Asia. Positions included were Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs (1982-86), and Deputy Executive Secretary of the Department of State (1977). Mr. Wisner is a board member of the Squire Patton Boggs Foundation and American Tunisian Enterprise Fund. Mr. Wisner currently serves as the Co-chair of AIF's Council of Advisors.

Frank Wisner
International Affairs Advisor,Squire Patton Boggs, LLP;
Former US Ambassador to India
Conversation with Nirupama Rao & Frank Wisner
A virtual book reading on the Fractured Himalayas