Menon new Foreign Secy, Saran Spl Envoy for Indo-US N-deal!
Seasoned diplomat and India`s High Commissioner to Pakistan Shiv Shankar Menon was today appointed as the new Foreign Secretary succeeding Shyam Saran who will be Special Envoy for negotiations on the Indo-US nuclear agreement. A 1972-batch IFS officer, Menon will take charge of his new assignment on October one. He supersedes a number of foreign service officials. Holding a Masters in History from Delhi University, 57-year-old Menon will have a nearly three-year tenure.
During his diplomatic career, he has served in China, Israel, Austria, Japan and Sri Lanka. He also had a stint in the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) as an Adviser. Contrary to speculation that he is being given a year`s extention, Saran will relinquish office on September 30 after holding the key post for about two years. An official announcement said that Saran would be a special envoy for negotiations on the Indo-US nuclear deal. As Foreign Secretary he has been at the helm of affairs in the tough negotiations with US interlocutors on the civil nuclear deal. Menon was here when the announcement was made and left for Islamabad immediately thereafter. He will be back in Delhi towards the end of September to take up his new assignment. Menon, who has served in the crucial Pakistan division of the External Affairs Ministry for several years, was appointed as envoy in Islamabad at a critical time when the relations between the two countries were at a low.
Spice up your Mobile!!! Get Paid for Ads on your Cell Phone!!!
