Vinay Mohan Kwatra Takes Charge as Indian Ambassador to the US

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Vinay Mohan Kwatra has officially taken over as the Indian Ambassador to the United States.

An Overview of the News

• Kwatra succeeds Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the former envoy and BJP leader.

• The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the appointment in a statement on 19 July.

• Kwatra has nearly 32 years of experience in various positions within India's missions abroad and domestically.

Kwatra’s previous roles include:

• Joint Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office.

• Minister (Commerce) at the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C. (May 2010 - July 2013).

• Head of the Policy Planning & Research Division and the Americas Division in the Foreign Ministry.

• He served as the 34th Foreign Secretary of India from May 2022 until July 14, 2024. 

• Kwatra previously held the positions of Ambassador of India to France and Nepal.

The Indian Foreign Service (IFS)

• It is a central civil service and diplomatic service of the Government of India.

• It operates under the Ministry of External Affairs.

• The head of the IFS is the Foreign Secretary.

• Vikram Misri is the 35th and current Foreign Secretary.

• Formed - 9 October 1946

• Headquarters - South Block, New Delhi