Foreign Secretary (India): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Seniormost non-elected official of the Ministry of External Affairs of India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox official post
{{Infobox official post
|post           = Foreign Secretary
| post = Foreign Secretary
|body           = India
| body = India
|flag = Flag of India.svg
| flag = Flag of India.svg
|flagsize = 110px
| flagsize = 110px
|flagcaption = [[Flag of India]]
| flagcaption = [[Flag of India]]
|insignia       = Emblem_of_India.svg
| insignia = Emblem_of_India.svg
|insigniasize   = 100px
| insigniasize = 100px
|insigniacaption = Emblem of India
| insigniacaption = Emblem of India
|residence       = 3, Circular Road, [[Chanakyapuri]]<br> [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| residence = 3, Circular Road, [[Chanakyapuri]]<br> [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
|appointer       = [[Appointments Committee of the Cabinet]]
| appointer = [[Appointments Committee of the Cabinet]]
| image =
| image = Kwatra Portrait.png
|incumbent       = [[Harsh Vardhan Shringla]], [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]]
| incumbent = [[Vinay Mohan Kwatra]], [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]]
|incumbentsince = 29 January 2020
| incumbentsince = 1 May 2022
|inaugural       = [[K. P. S. Menon]], [[Indian Civil Service|ICS]]
| inaugural = [[K. P. S. Menon]], [[Indian Civil Service|ICS]]
|formation       = 16 April 1948
| formation = 16 April 1948
|website         = [https://www.mea.gov.in/fs.htm Ministry of External Affairs]
| website = [https://www.mea.gov.in/fs.htm Ministry of External Affairs]
|reports_to     =
| reports_to = *[[Parliament of India]]
*[[Parliament of India]]
*[[Union Council of Ministers|Council of Ministers of India]]
*[[Union Council of Ministers|Council of Ministers of India]]
*[[Prime Minister of India]]
*[[Prime Minister of India]]
*[[Minister of External Affairs (India)|External Affairs Minister of India]]
*[[Minister of External Affairs (India)|External Affairs Minister of India]]
|salary         = {{INRConvert|225000}} monthly<ref name="7 Pay Commission Report" />
| salary = {{INRConvert|225000}} monthly<ref name="7 Pay Commission Report" />
|termlength     = Two years, term can be extended.
| termlength = Two years, term can be extended.
|department = [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]]
| department = [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]]
|native_name = Videśa Saciva
| native_name = Videśa Saciva
}}
}}
{{Politics of India}}
{{Politics of India}}
The '''Foreign Secretary of India''' ([[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]]: ''Videśa Saciva'') is the top diplomat of India and administrative head of the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]]. This post is held by an [[Indian Foreign Service|Indian Foreign Service officer]] of the rank of [[Secretary to Government of India]]. The current and 33rd Foreign Secretary of India is [[Harsh Vardhan Shringla]] who took charge on January 29, 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/senior-diplomat-harsh-vardhan-shringla-appointed-foreign-secretary/articleshow/72942616.cms|title=Harsh Vardhan Shringla appointed new Foreign Secretary of India|date=23 December 2019|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=23 December 2019}}</ref> Shringla belongs to 1984 batch of [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]]. He previously served as India's envoy to the [[United States]], [[Bangladesh]] ,and [[Thailand]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/senior-diplomat-harsh-vardhan-shringla-appointed-foreign-secretary/articleshow/72942616.cms|title=Harsh Vardhan Shringla appointed new Foreign Secretary of India|date=23 December 2019|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=23 December 2019}}</ref>
The '''foreign secretary of India''' ([[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]]: ''Videśa Saciva'') is the top diplomat of India and administrative head of the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]]. This post is held by an [[Indian Foreign Service|Indian foreign service officer]] of the rank of [[Secretary to the Government of India|secretary to the government of India]]. '''Vinay Mohan Kwatra''' is an Indian diplomat and currently 34th [[Foreign Secretary (India)|Foreign Secretary of India]] from May 2022, succeeding [[Harsh Vardhan Shringla]].<ref>{{Cite news |others=PTI |date=2022-04-04 |title=Vinay Mohan Kwatra appointed India's new Foreign Secretary: Government |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vinay-mohan-kwatra-appointed-indias-new-foreign-secretary-government/article65289783.ece |access-date=2022-04-04 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Previously, he has served as ambassador to France and Nepal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India picks Vinay Mohan Kwatra as its new ambassador to Nepal |url=https://kathmandupost.com/2/2020/01/14/india-picks-vinay-mohan-kwatra-as-its-new-ambassador-to-nepal |access-date=2021-07-15 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}}</ref>


As an officer of the rank of Secretary to Government of India, the Foreign Secretary ranks 23rd on the [[Indian order of precedence|Indian Order of Precedence]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/table_of_precedence.pdf|title=Table of Precedence|date=July 26, 1979|website=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]], [[Government of India]]|publisher=President's Secretariat|url-status=dead|access-date=September 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527155701/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/table_of_precedence.pdf|archive-date=27 May 2014}}</ref> But unlike other Secretaries to the Government of India, Foreign Secretary is also the top diplomat of the country and heads "Foreign Service Board".
As an officer of the rank of secretary to the government of India, the foreign secretary ranks 23rd on the [[Indian order of precedence|Indian Order of Precedence]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/table_of_precedence.pdf|title=Table of Precedence|date=July 26, 1979|website=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]], [[Government of India]]|publisher=President's Secretariat|url-status=dead|access-date=September 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527155701/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/table_of_precedence.pdf|archive-date=27 May 2014}}</ref> However, unlike other secretaries to the government of India, the foreign secretary is also the top diplomat of the country and heads the 'Foreign Service Board'.


== Powers, responsibilities and postings ==
== Powers, responsibilities and postings ==
Foreign Secretary is the administrative head of the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]], and is the principal adviser to the [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|Minister of External Affairs]] on all matters of policy and administration within the External Affairs Ministry.<ref name="CSMOP India">{{cite web|url=http://darpg.gov.in/sites/default/files/CSMOP_0_0.pdf|title=Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure - 14th Edition (2015)|publisher=[[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (India)|Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension]]|page=6|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>
The foreign secretary is the administrative head of the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]], and is the principal adviser to the [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|minister of external affairs]] on all matters of policy and administration within the External Affairs Ministry.<ref name="CSMOP India">{{cite web|url=http://darpg.gov.in/sites/default/files/CSMOP_0_0.pdf|title=Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure - 14th Edition (2015)|publisher=[[Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (India)|Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension]]|page=6|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>


The role of Foreign Secretary is as follows:<ref name="Governance India">{{cite book|title=Governance in India (2nd Edition)|last=Laxmikanth|first=M.|publisher=McGraw Hill Education|year=2014|isbn=978-9339204785|location=[[Noida]]|pages=3.1-3.10}}</ref>
The role of the foreign secretary is as follows:<ref name="Governance India">{{cite book|title=Governance in India (2nd Edition)|last=Laxmikanth|first=M.|publisher=McGraw Hill Education|year=2014|isbn=978-9339204785|location=[[Noida]]|pages=3.1-3.10}}</ref>
* To act as the administrative head of the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]]. The responsibility in this regard is complete and undivided.
* To act as the administrative head of the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]]. The responsibility in this regard is complete and undivided.
* To act as the chief adviser to the [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|Minister of External Affairs]] on all aspects of policy and administrative affairs.
* To act as the chief adviser to the [[Minister of External Affairs (India)|Minister of External Affairs]] on all aspects of policy and administrative affairs.
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== Emolument, accommodation and perquisites ==
== Emolument, accommodation and perquisites ==
The Foreign Secretary is eligible for a [[Diplomatic passport]]. The official earmarked residence of the Union Foreign Secretary is 3, Circular Road, Chanakyapuri, [[New Delhi]].
The foreign secretary is eligible for a [[Diplomatic passport]]. The official earmarked residence of the union foreign secretary is 3, Circular Road, Chanakyapuri, [[New Delhi]].


{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" style="margin: 1ex 0 1ex 1ex; "
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" style="margin: 1ex 0 1ex 1ex; "
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|}
|}


== List of Foreign Secretaries==
== List of foreign secretaries==


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| 4
| 4
| [[M. J. Desai]]
| M. J. Desai
|
|
| 11 April 1961
| 11 April 1961
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|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| rowspan="2" | 11
| rowspan="2" | 11
| rowspan="2" | R. D. Sathe
| rowspan="2" | [[R. D. Sathe|Ram Sathe]]
| rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" |
| rowspan="2" | 19 November 1979
| rowspan="2" | 19 November 1979
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| rowspan="2" | 19
| rowspan="2" | 19
| rowspan="2" | [[Krishnan Srinivasan]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Krishnan Srinivasan]]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Krishnan Srinivasan 2019.jpg|60px]]
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Krishnan Srinivasan 2021.jpg|60x60px]]
| rowspan="2" | 1 February 1994
| rowspan="2" | 1 February 1994
| rowspan="2" | 28 February 1995
| rowspan="2" | 28 February 1995
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|[[File:Amb - GU India Initiative - 2019-04-23.jpg|60px]]  
|[[File:Amb - GU India Initiative - 2019-04-23.jpg|60px]]  
| 29 January 2020
| 29 January 2020
| ''Incumbent''
| April 30 2022
|-
|34
|[[Vinay Mohan Kwatra]]
|[[File:Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary.jpg|120x120px]]
|May 1 2022
|Incumbent
|[[S. Jaishankar|Subrahmanyam Jaishankar]]
|}
|}


Revision as of 11:49, 18 May 2022


Foreign Secretary of India
Videśa Saciva
Emblem of India.svg
Emblem of India
Flag of India.svg
Flag of India
Ministry of External Affairs
Reports to
Residence3, Circular Road, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi, India
AppointerAppointments Committee of the Cabinet
Term lengthTwo years, term can be extended.
Inaugural holderK. P. S. Menon, ICS
Formation16 April 1948
Salary₹225,000 (US$3,200) monthly[1]
WebsiteMinistry of External Affairs
India
Emblem of India.svg
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
India
Federal government
Legislature
Parliament of India
Executive
Judiciary
Elections
  • General elections
Political parties
National coalitions
Federalism

The foreign secretary of India (IAST: Videśa Saciva) is the top diplomat of India and administrative head of the Ministry of External Affairs. This post is held by an Indian foreign service officer of the rank of secretary to the government of India. Vinay Mohan Kwatra is an Indian diplomat and currently 34th Foreign Secretary of India from May 2022, succeeding Harsh Vardhan Shringla.[2] Previously, he has served as ambassador to France and Nepal.[3]

As an officer of the rank of secretary to the government of India, the foreign secretary ranks 23rd on the Indian Order of Precedence.[4] However, unlike other secretaries to the government of India, the foreign secretary is also the top diplomat of the country and heads the 'Foreign Service Board'.

Powers, responsibilities and postings

The foreign secretary is the administrative head of the Ministry of External Affairs, and is the principal adviser to the minister of external affairs on all matters of policy and administration within the External Affairs Ministry.[5]

The role of the foreign secretary is as follows:[6]


Emolument, accommodation and perquisites

The foreign secretary is eligible for a Diplomatic passport. The official earmarked residence of the union foreign secretary is 3, Circular Road, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

Foreign Secretary monthly pay and allowances
Base Salary as per 7th Pay Commission (Per month) Pay Matrix Level
₹225,000 (US$3,200)[1] Pay Level 17

List of foreign secretaries

№ Name Photo Took office Left office Minister of External Affairs
1 K. P. S. Menon Sr. 16 April 1948 21 September 1952 Jawaharlal Nehru
2 R. K. Nehru 22 September 1952 10 October 1955
3 Subimal Dutt 11 October 1955 17 January 1961
4 M. J. Desai 11 April 1961 4 December 1963
5 Y. D. Gundevia 5 December 1963 18 February 1965 Jawaharlal Nehru
Gulzarilal Nanda
Lal Bahadur Shastri
Swaran Singh
6 C. S. Jha 19 February 1965 13 August 1967
M. C. Chagla
7 Rajeshwar Dayal 19 August 1967 6 November 1968 Indira Gandhi
8 T. N. Kaul 7 November 1968 3 December 1972 Indira Gandhi
Dinesh Singh
Swaran Singh
9 Kewal Singh 4 December 1972 31 March 1976
Yashwantrao Chavan
10 J. S. Mehta 1 April 1976 18 November 1979
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
11 Ram Sathe 19 November 1979 30 April 1982 Shyam Nandan Prasad Mishra
P. V. Narasimha Rao
12 M. K. Rasgotra Rasgotra.jpg 1 May 1982 31 January 1985
Indira Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi
13 Romesh Bhandari 1 February 1985 31 March 1986 Rajiv Gandhi
Bali Ram Bhagat
14 A. P. Venkateswaran 1 April 1986 20 January 1987
P. Shiv Shankar
N. D. Tiwari
15 K. P. S. Menon Jr. January 1987 February 1989 N. D. Tiwari
16 Shilendra Kumar Singh 16 February 1989 19 April 1990 P. V. Narasimha Rao
Vishwanath Pratap Singh
I. K. Gujral
17 Muchukund Dubey 20 April 1990 30 November 1991 I. K. Gujral
18 J. N. Dixit 1 December 1991 31 January 1994 Madhavsinh Solanki
P. V. Narasimha Rao
Dinesh Singh
19 Krishnan Srinivasan Krishnan Srinivasan 2021.jpg 1 February 1994 28 February 1995
Pranab Mukherjee
20 Salman Haidar 1 March 1995 30 June 1997 Pranab Mukherjee
Sikander Bakht
I. K. Gujral
21 K. Raghunath 1 July 1997 1 December 1999
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Jaswant Singh
22 Lalit Mansingh File:Lalit Mansingh.jpg 1 December 1999 11 March 2001 Jaswant Singh
23 Chokila Iyer[7] 12 March 2001 29 June 2002
24 Kanwal Sibal 1 July 2002 30 November 2003 Yashwant Sinha
25 Shashank 19 November 2003 31 July 2004 Yashwant Sinha
Natwar Singh
26 Shyam Saran 31 July 2004 1 September 2006
Manmohan Singh
27 Shivshankar Menon Msc2011 SZ 004 Menon (cropped).jpg 1 September 2006 31 July 2009
Pranab Mukherjee
S. M. Krishna
28 Nirupama Rao Nirupama Rao.jpg 31 July 2009 31 July 2011
29 Ranjan Mathai Ranjan Mathai & Yukiya Amano (cropped).jpg 1 August 2011 1 August 2013
Salman Khurshid
30 Sujatha Singh Sujatha Singh 2013 (cropped).jpg 1 August 2013 28 January 2015
Sushma Swaraj
31 Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Minister Jaishankar (48823162971) (cropped).jpg 28 January 2015 28 January 2018
32 Vijay Keshav Gokhale Vijay Gokhale.jpg 29 January 2018 28 January 2020
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
33 Harsh Vardhan Shringla Amb - GU India Initiative - 2019-04-23.jpg 29 January 2020 April 30 2022
34 Vinay Mohan Kwatra File:Shri Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary.jpg May 1 2022 Incumbent Subrahmanyam Jaishankar

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Report of the 7th Central Pay Commission of India" (PDF). Seventh Central Pay Commission, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  2. ↑ "Vinay Mohan Kwatra appointed India's new Foreign Secretary: Government". The Hindu. PTI. 4 April 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 April 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. ↑ "India picks Vinay Mohan Kwatra as its new ambassador to Nepal". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "Table of Precedence" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. President's Secretariat. 26 July 1979. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  5. ↑ "Central Secretariat Manual of Office Procedure - 14th Edition (2015)" (PDF). Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension. p. 6. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  6. ↑ Laxmikanth, M. (2014). Governance in India (2nd Edition). Noida: McGraw Hill Education. pp. 3.1–3.10. ISBN 978-9339204785.
  7. ↑ Nirupama Rao is India's new foreign secretary The Times of India, 1 August 2009."Chokila Iyer was first woman, Indian Foreign Secretary in 2001."

External links

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