Jaishankar has replaced Sujatha Singh. PHOTO: AFP
A day after US President Barack Obama concluded his three-day visit to India, the Indian External Affairs Ministry appointed S Jaishankar, India's Ambassador to the US, as its new foreign secretary, Press Trust of India reported.
Jaishankar will replace Sujatha Singh whose tenure was curtailed with immediate effect. Her two-year tenure was due to end in August 2015.
The surprise announcement was made after a meeting of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Jaishankar has previously served as India's ambassador to China and was key in brokering the nuclear deal with the US which was operationalised during Obama's visit to New Delhi.
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Both India and Pakistan had talented USA Ambassadors --- India promoted theirs while Pakistan accused theirs of treason. Just another reason that India seems to be outpacing Pakistan.
@doMehTkcuF: Empty guns have no relevance bro... You need some actual fire power....
@Abdullah mohmand So if father is painter and son is carpenter both are same? If Modi wanted his father, he would have appointed his father not his son,period. This is not geo strategic or security departmental post. This is "joint secretary" bureaucratic post, different department with different duties. And he is top class diplomat not geo strategist. To be an in indian service you need to match specific criteria meant and have specialisation in pertaining field or experience, achievements to be eligible for such a high post by government. After many clear this criteria, politicians select the best or loyal cadets amongst them. It's not like pakistan were anyone from anywhere army, govt, elites can be recruited till he represents your mindset in foriegn office departments. So don't get confused it's the same in india. Foriegn office and foreign policy in india is not run on emotions but pragmatism. Jaishankar has contributed beautifully with striking indo us deal and bettering our relations with Usa and so is the case with china. He's been rewarded. He will be an excellent joint secretary to government.
She was fired because her dad was ex governor and is congress loyalist. Even in Manmohan Singh govt he wanted jaishankar because of his contribution to indo us nuclear deal. He is out of box thinker diplomat to solve issues. But Sonia Gandhi overruled Manmohan and appointed sujata as she is loyal to her. Sonia wants loyal Sonia stooges in every govt offices than hardworking officials. Sujata singh was giving tough time to modi govt sticking to previous govt -congress stand on various issues pertaining to Usa defence deal and Devyani and was passing leaks to congress. Modi govt should sack all appointees by congress govt. hardworking people should be appointed not chamchas. Congress has ruined every govt organisation with Sonia fan past 60years of rule.
Jaishankar is the son if K Subrahmanyam.
(And if you don't know that name, you know nothing about Indian strategic affairs).
For the Pak thinkers,his father, K Subramanyam, a top Indian geo strategist, is credited with the policy & strategy that eventually lead to the creation of Bangladesh.