BackBoosting economic ties, curbing terror top on foreign secretary Shringla’s agenda
On the top of Shringla’s to-do list would be managing Trump’s visit to India next monthAn officer of the 1984 batch, Shringla was the Indian ambassador to the US before returning to New Delhi to assume office as foreign secretary
PremiumNEW DELHI : Enhancing India’s economic ties, building synergies with major world powers and seeking an “undifferentiated" and “unambiguous" approach to combatting terrorism are some of the priorities listed by Harsh Vardhan Shringla as he took charge as India’s new foreign secretary on Wednesday.
Shringla, who succeeded Vijay Gokhale, also listed sustaining a rules-based multilateral order, sharing India’s developmental experience with countries in Africa and Latin America, climate change and challenges related to the internet and new technologies as other priorities for foreign policy.
An officer of the 1984 batch, Shringla was the Indian ambassador to the US before returning to New Delhi to assume office as foreign secretary. A career diplomat who joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1984—he was the youngest in his batch—Shringla is described by his peers, juniors and seniors as “no nonsense" and “sharp".
In a statement, he said the primary objective of the foreign ministry was to “advance our national interests across the world and serve the people of India, wherever they may be".
“We are service providers to our citizens and our people, whether at home or abroad. Enhancing the security and prosperity of India through external ties and the well-being of all Indians, wherever they may be, is our mission statement," he said.
As foreign secretary, Shringla said, he will work “with India’s many partners in the international system—in enhancing developmental and economic linkages, as well as connectivity with our neighbours; building synergies with major powers; seeking a shared, undifferentiated and unambiguous approach to terrorism and the threat it poses to free societies; and sustaining the gains of a rules-based multilateral order".
“Sharing the Indian developmental experience with countries of the global south, especially with our friends in Africa and Latin America, will continue to be a priority. I look forward to the opening of new missions and the inauguration of new initiatives," he said.
He said he will “provide the basis for a dynamic and responsive diplomacy, one that is alive to the requirements of a new India" under the guidance of the prime minister and external affairs minister.
On the top of his to-do list would be managing US President Donald Trump’s visit to India next month. Though the dates are not yet confirmed, the visit is expected in the third or last week of February. Last year, Shringla played a major role in successfully hosting the “Howdy Modi" event in Houston, where Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly addressed the Indian diaspora. The event, which drew some 50,000 people, was the largest ever Indian community event in the US.
Also next month is the Financial Action Task Force meeting in Paris, where Pakistan will look to escape the “black list" but also try and garner support to exit the “grey list" of nations under watch for failing to address the funding of terrorists.
Shringla will also have to steer relations with China “whose anti-India activism has been unprecedented in the UN Security Council", said former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal. He was referring to China seeking closed-door discussions on Kashmir at the UN Security Council at least twice.
During his diplomatic career spanning more than three decades, Shringla has held several positions in New Delhi and abroad, and is considered an expert on India’s neighbourhood. He has served as India’s top envoy to Bangladesh and Thailand. He has also served in France, Vietnam, Israel and South Africa.
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