New Delhi: The Foreign Office had a new spokesperson on October 16 with Navtej Sarna, who last served in Washington, taking over the high-profile slot of joint secretary (external publicity) from Nirupama Rao who has been promoted as Additional Secretary.

A 1980 batch IFS officer, Sarna was minister looking after press, information and culture in the Indian Embassy in Washington before moving to Delhi. He has also served in various diplomatic capacities in Tehran, Thimpu, Warsaw, Moscow as well as the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in Geneva.

Sarna has also worked as officer on special duty (press relations) and deputy chief of protocol.

Sarna has written several short stories, which have been published in UK and India. His first novel is now under publication with Penguin India.

Rao, a 1973 batch IFS officer, had taken over as JS (XP) shortly before the Agra Summit last year. Bidding adieu to journos on October 16, Rao described her 16-month stint as "very exciting" and the overall experience "most positive".

She has taken over as additional secretary (administration) in the Ministry External Affairs (MEA).

PTI