R. Viswanathan

Biography

Worked as lecturer in Chemistry at Bishop Heber College, Trichy 1974-5 and at Pachaiyappa's College, Madras 1975-77.       M Sc chemistry from Pachaiyappa's College Madras, 1974 B Sc chemistry from Pushpam College, Poondi High School studies- Government Secondary School, Mariammankovil, near Thanjavur Elementary School , Rararmuthiraikottai village, halfway between Mariammankovil and Poondi. R. Viswanathan is the former Indian Ambassador to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay (2007-2012). He was earlier the Ambassador to Venezuela and served as the first Consul General of India in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He has headed the Ministry of External Affairs’ division on Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as its Investment and Trade Promotion Division. He has specialised in Latin America since 1996 and has been a regular contributor to newspapers and business journals, besides giving lectures on the subject at think tanks and universities across India, Latin America and the United States. He speaks Spanish and Portuguese. A self-confessed Latinophile, Ambassador Viswanathan is an avid reader of Latin American literature and admirer of Latino culture. He is fluent in Tamil, Spanish, English, Portuguese and Portuñol.

Research Interest

Latin America and Indo-Latin American relations