Jaishankar Takes Charge As Foreign Secretary

NEW DELHI: S. Jaishankar took charge as Foreign Secretary, replacing Sujatha Singh whose tenure was abruptly “curtailed” recently.

“Government’s priorities are my priorities,” said Mr. Jaishankar, a 1977-batch IFS officer, describing his new position as an “honour and a big responsibility“.

Ms. Singh was not present when Mr. Jaishankar took charge at the South Block office.

He will have a two-year tenure as per the rules.

Before his sudden appointment as Foreign Secretary, the 60-year-old diplomat was India’s Ambassador to the United States. He had also been posted as Ambassador to China, Singapore and Czech Republic.

The decision to appoint Mr. Jaishankar, who played a key role during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S. in September and U.S. President Barack Obama’s just concluded visit here, was taken by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet chaired by Mr. Modi.

Ms. Singh had taken over as the third woman Foreign Secretary in August, 2013, and had seven more months to serve.

Mr. Jaishankar, son of late K. Subrahmanyam — one of India’s leading strategic analysts — was a key member of the Indian team which negotiated the landmark Indo-U.S. nuclear deal.

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