The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the
Indian Foreign Service have long been seen as silos, sometimes criticised at
home as aloof and elitist. Yet peers view the IFS as among the best diplomatic
services. Though MEA has a very cordial and respectful atmosphere among the
officers but the manner in which new Ambassadors and High Commissioners are
being appointed has created some heart burn among senior IFS officers. It
appears S Jaishankar, Secretary Ministry of External Affairs, is taking every
step swiftly. Some of these new appointments are: Ms. Vani Sarraju Rao (IFS:
1994), currently Joint Secretary has been appointed as the next Ambassador of
India to Finland. Jaideep Mazumdar (IFS: 1989), currently Joint Secretary has
been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of the
Philippines. The appointment of Vinay Mohan Kwatra (IFS: 1988), as the next
Ambassador of India to France has surprised many. Ms. Pooja Kapur (IFS: 1996),
currently Joint Secretary has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to
the Republic of Bulgaria. President Pranab Mukherjee’s Press Secretary Venu
Rajamony, (IFS: 1986), has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to
the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Mukta Dutta Tomar (IFS: 1984), currently
Additional Secretary has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the
Federal Republic of Germany. Nepal has always been very important for India. An
Indian Ambassador plays a vital role in bilateral relations. A very senior
officer Manjeev Singh Puri (IFS: 1982), currently Ambassador of India to
Belgium has been appointed as the Ambassador of India to Nepal. Subir Dutta,
(IFS: 2003), currently Ambassador, Embassy of India, Madagascar, has been
appointed as Ambassador to the Union of Comoros with residence in Antananarivo.
In MEA corridors, officers whisper that the new ambassadors, high commissioners
are part of the restructuring of young and experienced officers by Jaishankar.
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