New Delhi: Shashank, the seniormost Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry, was tonight (November 18) appointed the Foreign Secretary to succeed Kanwal Sibal who superannuates on November 30.

The appointment of Shashank, a 1966 batch IFS officer now serving as Secretary (Europe, Africa and America) in Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

During his long diplomatic career, Shashank has held postings in a host of countries including Pakistan, Denmark, South Korea, Libya, Egypt, Vietnam, Brazil and in India's Permanent Mission at the United Nations.

He also served in various capacities in the Ministry of External Affairs and was Secretary (Economic Relations) before becoming Secretary (Europe, Africa and America).

Shashank has been actively involved in energising the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) - India relations resulting in two summits.

Whenever Sibal as Foreign Secretary was out of the country, it is Shashank who has handled the work of the top official of the MEA.

Asked whether economic diplomacy would come under more focus during his tenure as Foreign Secretary, Shashank told reporters that this is already a part of the ongoing exercise.

"We work under the team leadership of the External Affairs Minister," he said.

PTI