As John Abraham’s The Diplomat finds new life with its OTT release on Netflix, attention is turning to the real man behind the movie’s heroic character — IFS officer Jitender Pal Singh, fondly known as “JP sir.”
Portrayed by Abraham in the film, JP Singh is a 2002-batch Indian Foreign Service officer whose diplomatic expertise played a critical role in real-life high-stakes situations, including the safe return of Indian national Uzma Ahmed from Pakistan — a crisis that forms the heart of the film’s story.
A Career Marked by Critical Postings
Currently serving as India’s Ambassador to Israel, JP Singh took on the role in January 2025, a significant posting amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. His diplomatic journey, however, spans a series of high-stakes assignments across the region.
From serving as India’s Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan (2014–2019) to holding the position of Joint Secretary for the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran (PAI) division in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Singh has consistently been India’s point man in some of the most volatile regions.
Key Diplomatic Roles:
- Moscow (2004–2006) – Third & Second Secretary
- Kabul (2008–2012) – First Secretary during major embassy attacks
- Pakistan (2014–2019) – Deputy High Commissioner
- Istanbul (2019–2020) – Consul General
- MEA (2020) – Joint Secretary (PAI Division)
- Chief of Staff to External Affairs Minister (2024–2025)
- Ambassador to Israel (2025–present)
The Afghanistan Chapter
As the lead on India’s Afghanistan policy, Singh held critical meetings with top Taliban leaders, including a high-profile discussion with Taliban’s acting Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob in November 2024. These backchannel talks paved the way for further engagement between Indian and Taliban officials, including Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s meeting in Dubai later that year.
Real-Life Courage in Diplomatic Crisis
Singh was stationed in Kabul during multiple terrorist attacks on the Indian embassy but chose to remain on the ground, ensuring India maintained its diplomatic footprint despite the looming threats. His courage, strategic mind, and relentless dedication to duty have earned him the deep respect of peers and citizens alike.
As The Diplomat continues to reach new audiences, it brings overdue recognition to the real “JP sir” — a seasoned diplomat who has spent decades safeguarding India’s interests in some of the world’s most volatile regions.
