Ranjan Mathai is India’s new foreign secretary; BoI (babusofindia.com) said it 4 months ago

Ranjan Mathai, a 1974 batch IFS officer, presently Ambassador in Paris, has been appointed as foreign secretary for a two-year term. Mathai will replace Ms Nirupama Rao, a 1973 batch IFS, who is retiring on July 31, 2011.

BoI (babusofindia.com) in a report dated as early as February 28, 2011 said why Indian ambassador to France Ranjan Mathai would clinch the coveted foreign secretary’s job. “Mathai’s chances have brightened after his batchmate and another strong contender Alok Prasad was sent to Tokyo as Indian ambassador to Japan earlier this month. Prasad who was the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka before becoming the Deputy National Security Adviser was believed to be the front-runner, but his chances slipped after he was shifted out to Japan,” said BoI report.

 Who is Ranjan Mathai?

* Born on May 24, 1952

* Completed his post graduation in political science from the University of Poona

* Joined Indian Foreign Service in 1974

* Served in Indian Embassies in Vienna, Colombo, Washington, Tehran and Brussels

* Worked as joint secretary in the ministry of external affairs between January 1995 and February 1998

* Became the Indian Ambassador to Israel, Indian Ambassador in Qatar, Deputy High Commissioner of India to the UK in London before becoming Ambassador of India to France

With Mathai’s appointment, both foreign secretary and cabinet secretary happen to be batch-mates of 1974 batch.

Action and Appointments

a) The competent authority has approved the assignment of additional charge of the post of secretary, department of defence production to Pradeep Kumar, a 1972 batch Haryana cadre IAS and defence secretary with immediate effect and up to July 31, 2011.

b) Appointment Committee of the Cabinet approved that Arun Kumar Mishra, a 1976 batch UP cadre IAS and secretary in the department of drinking water and sanitation, will hold additional charge of the post of secretary in ministry of housing and urban poverty alleviation during the absence on leave of Ms Kiran Dhingra, a 1975 batch UT cadre IAS from July 27, 2011 to August 23, 2011.