Syed Akbaruddin will take over as India’s permanent representative in the UN in New York. He was a familiar face as MEA’s spokesperson, and it’s known that PM Modi regards him highly. Akbaruddin will replace Asoke Mukerji who will be retiring.

Other Important Appointments

• Gautam Bambawale, India’s ambassador to Bhutan, will take over from TCA Raghavan as high commissioner to Pakistan when the latter retires in December.
• Navtej Sarna, presently secretary (west) in MEA will be India’s next high commissioner to London.
• Anil Wadhwa, secretary (east), will go to Rome, which has become more prominent given the level of Indian economic interests.
• The two senior-most officials in headquarters will be replaced by Amar Sinha and Amarendra Khatua, who will be the next Secretaries East and West.
• P S Raghavan, India’s capable pair of hands in Moscow, will be replaced by Pankaj Saran, currently India’s high commissioner to Dhaka, when he retires at the end of the year.
• Given Bangladesh’s crucial importance to India, the government will be moving Harsh V Shringla from Bangkok to Dhaka.
• Vijay Gokhale, India’s ambassador to Germany will make the important move to Beijing, when the current incumbent, Ashok Kantha retires in a few months.
• Sujan Chinoy, India’s ambassador to Mexico, will take over from Deepa Wadhwa in Tokyo.
• Nengcha Lhouvum, director Foreign Service Institute is headed to Jakarta as India’s ambassador in this most important Asean country.
• Gurjit Singh, currently in Indonesia, will take Vijay Gokhale’s place in Berlin.