Seasoned diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla took charge as the new foreign secretary on Wednesday, succeeding Vijay Gokhale. Speaking to reporters ahead of taking the charge, he said all efforts should be dedicated to contributing towards the nation in the form of its security, prosperity through external engagements.
“I am as committed to the ministry’s role in nation-building as I was 36 years ago when I entered these portals as a young professional. I look forward to working under the guidance of the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister,” he said.
“I am as committed to @MEAIndia’s role in nation building as I was almost 36 years ago when I first entered these very portals as a young probationer” – FS @HarshShringla as he took charge as Foreign Secretary pic.twitter.com/tSgDmD9L31
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 29, 2020
Shringla, the former ambassador to the US is succeeded by career service diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu. A 1988-batch Indian Foreign Service Official, Sandhu has had two successful stints at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, the last one being the Deputy Ambassador from July 2013 to January 2017. Sandhu, who is currently India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, is expected to take up the new assignment shortly.
On behalf of the team #IndiainUSA, we welcome the appointment of Amb. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, presently High Commissioner of India, Colombo, as the next Ambassador of #India to the United States of America. @KumarAmitMEA @cgihou @CGI_Atlanta @CGISFO @IndiainChicago @IndiainNewYork pic.twitter.com/gsDZNjTNQb
— India in USA (@IndianEmbassyUS) January 28, 2020