Vijay Keshav Gokhale who served as an ambassador to China and currently serving as the secretary (economic relations) has been named as India's next foreign secretary.
He will succeed S Jaishankar whose extended tenure will end on January 28.
Who is Gokhle?
- He is a 1981-batch IFS officer who is expert on China. After completing his tenure as an ambassador to China he was appointed as secretary (economic relations). He is the senior-most serving IFS officer after Jaishankar. He also served as high commissioner to Malaysia and ambassador in Germany.
- He was recognised for handling the Dokalam crisis in coordination with Jaishankar. He proficiently handled East Asia Division in the Ministry of External Affairs which covers India's ties with China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Mongolia and Taiwan.
Who is a foreign secretary?
The Foreign Secretary is the head of staff in the Ministry of External Affairs, India and is the top diplomat for foreign relations. This post is equivalent in rank and pay scale to a Secretary of Government of India. K.P.S. Menon was the first foreign secretary of India.
Expected Questions
Who has been appointed as New Foreign Secretary of India?
a. Vijay Shekhar Gokhale
b. Vijay Keshav Gokhale
c. Vijay Shankar Gokhale
d. Vijay Kishor Gokhale
