Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar gets one-year extension

Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 23

The Union Government today gave Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar, due to retire on January 28, one-year extension. 

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet gave the nod to his extension till January 28, 2018.

Jaishankar is considered close to both PM and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Also, Jaishankar is widely regarded as an America expert, having served in the US as ambassador prior to his appointment.

Sources said Jaishankar’s America expertise is a much valued asset, especially with a new administration at the helm in Washington DC.

He has already met members of Donald Trump’s transition team and giving him an extension provides a continuity in the government’s foreign policy objectives.

A 1977-batch IFS officer, Jaishankar was appointed Foreign Secretary on January 29, 2015 a few days before his retirement, replacing Sujata Singh, who was unceremoniously sacked by Modi.