Ashwani Kumar is an attorney and polititian. He served as a Member of Parliament in India where he was elected to represent the state of Punjab. He formerly served as a Minister of Law and Justice, as well as Minister of State in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

 

At 37, Ashwani Kumar,  was one of the youngest on record to be appointed Additional Solicitor General of India. He has served as Indian National Congress party’s National Spokesperson and Chairman of its Vichar Vibhag. Kumar is an eminent legal counsel who has argued important cases before the Supreme Courtincluding the Bhopal Gas Tragedy case and has also represented major corporations in international arbitrations. He has been a member of the Rajya Sabha since 2002.

 

Ashawni Kumar has authored two books: Hope in a Challenged Democracy: An Indian Narrative and Law, Ideas and Ideology in Politics: Perspectives of an Activist. In May, 2017, the Emperor of Japan awarded him the “Grand Cordon of the order by the rising Sun”, one of the highest Japanese civilian honours, for his significant contribution in promoting India- Japan relationship.​