He was also a Member of numerous Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) and Group of Ministers dealing with a diverse array of policy issues. He is the National Spokesperson of the Indian National Congress. He was a Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committees of External Affairs, Law & Justice and Defense. He also served on the Parliamentary Consultative Committees of the Ministries of Defense and Law & Justice. He is Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Indian National Congress (INC). He is the Distinguished Senior Fellow - Atlantic Council, USA.

He has traveled widely both in his professional and personal capacities and has an interest in History, International and Strategic Affairs.