Harsh Vardhan Shringla takes charge as new foreign secretary

Seasoned
diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla, who last served as India’s envoy to the US,
took charge as new foreign secretary on Wednesday for a fixed two-year term,
succeeding Vijay Gokhale.

Speaking to
reporters ahead of taking the charge, Shringla, a 1984-batch officer of the
Indian Foreign Service (IFS), said he is very clear about the fact that foreign
service is a public service and its every effort should be dedicated to
contributing towards the nation in the form of its security and prosperity
through external engagements.

“I am
as committed to the ministry’s role in nation-building as I was almost 36 years
ago when I entered these portals as a young professional. I look forward to
functioning under the guidance of the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and the
External Affairs Minister (S Jaishankar), our political leadership and with the
support and cooperation of my colleagues both within the ministry and
outside,” the 57-year-old diplomat said.

In the
course of a diplomatic career spanning 35 years, Shringla has held a variety of
positions in New Delhi and abroad, and is considered an expert on India’s
neighbourhood. He has served as High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh and
Ambassador of India to Thailand. He has also served in France, Vietnam, Israel
and South Africa.

In the
headquarters of the Ministry of External Affairs here, Shringla served as Joint
Secretary looking after India’s ties with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and
Maldives. He has also headed the United Nations Political and SAARC divisions
in the ministry. Earlier, he served as director of the northern division
dealing with Nepal and Bhutan.