Amb. Smita Purushottam IFS (Rtd.)

Founder - SITARA (Science, Indigenous Technology & Advanced Research Accelerator)

Expertise: Geopolitics, High‑Tech Indigenisation, Public Policy

MA – History, Delhi University | WCFIA Fellow, Harvard University | Program in Strategic Affairs, National Defence University, USA Former Ambassador of India to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Holy See, and Venezuela | Senior roles in Indian Foreign Service including Deputy Chief of Mission Berlin, Minister (Political) London, Counsellor in Beijing and Brussels | Joint Secretary at Foreign Service Institute and Integrated Defence Staff HQ | Founded SITARA to drive science and indigenous technology innovation Advocacy and enablement in high‑tech indigenisation | Geopolitics, International Affairs and Public Policy In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, amateur science, swimming, painting, and promoting environmental issues.