NEW DELHI:
Govt
Tuesday extended foreign secretary
Vinay Kwatra
's tenure by six months, according to an official order. An
IFS
officer of 1988 batch,
Kwatra
was slated to retire on April 30 this year but will now serve till end of Oct.
There was speculation earlier that Kwatra, who is known to enjoy an excellent rapport with the PM, might be given an extension or appointed India's ambassador to the US.
Govt is expected to soon also take a decision on who will take over as India's ambassador to the US. The position has been lying vacant since the retirement of former ambassador
Taranjit Sandhu
.
Kwatra, a career diplomat with over 34 years of experience, served as India's ambassador to France from Aug 2017 to Feb 2020. He served as ambassador to Nepal before being appointed foreign secretary. According to the order issued by
Department of Personnel and Training
(DoPT), "The appointments committee of the cabinet has approved extension in service of
Vinay Mohan Kwatra
(IFS:1988) as foreign secretary for a period of six months beyond Apr 30, 2024 i.e. up to Oct 31, 2024, or until further orders, whichever is earlier, in public interest, in terms of provisions of FR 56(d)."
English (US) ·