Mr Peter Varghese

High Commissioner to India

Biography

Prior to his appointment as Ambassador, Mr Varghese was Director-General of the Office of National Assessments. Prior to this he was the Senior Adviser (International) to the Prime Minister. From 2002 until July 2003, Mr Varghese was a Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

From 2000 until 2002 Mr Varghese was Australia's High Commissioner to Malaysia. He has also served in Australian missions in Vienna (1980-83), Washington (1986-88) and Tokyo (1994).

Mr Varghese served as First Assistant Secretary of the International Security Division in 1997 before being seconded in February 1998, to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as First Assistant Secretary of the International Division.

His other positions in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have included Assistant Secretary, Staffing (1991-92), First Assistant Secretary, Public Affairs Division (1994-96) and Head of the White Paper Secretariat (1996-97).

Mr Varghese is a graduate in history from the University of Queensland and is married with one adult son.