The 21st Century Ambassador examines the institution of the ambassador in the context of changing international relations. Combining theoretical rigor with practical experience, Kishan Rana raises some pertinent questions: Is the ambassador a political representative of his/her country in a foreign location? What has happened to the traditional roles the ambassador was expected to fulfil? How have Indian envoys served their country and in which direction have their performance evolved? Highlighting the changes in international diplomacy, Rana delineates how roles and responsibilities of ambassadors are being redefined. The book argues that there is a greater functional necessity for the resident ambassador than any previous time in the volatility of contemporary international relations.