In 1984, Gaarder was named ambassador to Saudi Arabia, as well as representing Norway in the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Oman. From 1990 to 1994, he was ambassador to India. During this time, he also represented Norway in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives. In 1996, he became the ambassador to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. He was also Norway's representative in Bulgaria, Republic of Macedonia and Albania. He also served as the ambassador to Lithuania from 1999 to 2001.