Nirupama Rao to take over as second woman FS

Seasoned diplomat Nirupama Rao will take over as the new Foreign Secretary on Saturday at a time when India's diplomatic relations with Pakistan are going through a critical phase.

Rao, a 1973-batch IFS officer, is the second woman to hold the post of the top diplomat after Chokila Iyer and will succeed Shivshankar Menon, who is retiring today. The 58-year-old diplomat, who was ambassador to China before her new assignment, will have a tenure of 17 months as the top foreign ministry official.

Prior to her stint in China, she has served in various key positions, including India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and was the first woman spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry.

Earlier, she had served in the Indian Missions in Washington and Moscow, besides having a stint in the Ministry of External Affairs as Joint Secretary (East Asia).

Rao is assuming charge at a time when India's relations with Pakistan are going through testing times in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Besides Pakistan, dealing with other nations of the "turbulent" neighbourhood would be among the foremost challenges for Rao in her new position.

Menon, a 1972-batch IFS officer, demitted office after an eventful stint of two years and ten months whose highlight was the Indo-US civil nuclear deal.