Neichulieu Nikki Haralu, first Naga woman IFS (Indian Foreign Service), passed away on Saturday at Dimapur, Nagaland. She was 98.

She breathed her last at 6.30 am, surrounded by her family members, at Zion Hospital, Dimapur.

Haralu joined the Government of India service in 1954 as Assistant Research Officer, and later held various posts in the Union External Affairs Ministry.

In 1958, she was Press Attaché in the Indian Embassy, Brussels. She was also First Secretary, Embassy of India, Rome in 1962, Deputy Director (XP) Ministry of External Affairs (1965-68), 1968-71 as First Secretary, Embassy of India, Washington, First Secretary to Colombo & then Director, Ministry of External Affairs from 1975-78.

She also served as Ambassador of India, Panama & concurrently accredited as Ambassador of Costa Rica & Nicaragua from 1978-80.

She retired from the Indian Foreign Service in 1980 and served as Chairman, Nagaland State Social Welfare Advisory Board. Even after her retirement, Haralu continued  to give her time to various Governmental & Social Organisations. She was former member of the Nagaland Red Cross Society, North-Eastern Regional Committee, Industrial Development Bank of India, Managing Committee, North-East Zone Cultural Centre as Director, Board of Directors, Small Industrial Development Bank of India.