Education
University of Oxford.
University of Oxford.
He served as the Indian Commissioner at various African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, Zanzibar, Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, Nyasaland and the Belgian colony of the Congo and, later, as the Indian ambassador to countries like Indonesia, Norway, Egypt, United Kingdom and Italy. Apa Sahib Bala Saheb Pant was born on 11 September 1912 in the princely state of Aundh in the British India, presently near Pune in the Indian state of Maharashtra, as the second son of Bhawanrao Shriniwasrao Pant Pratinidhi, the ruler of the state. After schooling at local institutions, he graduated (Bachelor) from the University of Mumbai and secured his master"s degree (Master of Arts) from Oxford University.
He continued his studies in London and passed Barrister at Law from Lincoln"s Inn and returned to India in 1937 when the Indian freedom movement was gathering pace.
He died, aged 80, on 5 October 1992, succumbing to old age illnesses. Pant started his political and diplomatic career as the Minister of Education of the Aundh State in 1944 when his father was the ruler of the state.
His tenure lasted one year and during this period and thereafter, he was involved in the discussions related to the integration of the state into Indian Union. After India"s independence, he entered Indian Foreign Service, got deputed to Africa and worked in Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, Zanzibar, Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, Nyasaland and the Belgian colony of the Congo.
In 1954, he was appointed as the Officer on Special duty with the Minister of External Affairs when India"s relationship with China was strained.
He represented India at Bandung Conference in 1956 for the formation of Non-Aligned Movement. He also worked as the Officer in Charge of the missions of Tibet and Bhutan, and as Ambassador to Indonesia (1961-1964), Norway (1964-1966), Egypt (1966-1969), United Kingdom (1969-1972) and Italy (1972-1975).