New Delhi: Seasoned diplomat and former Foreign Secretary J N Dixit will be the next National Security Advisor, a post held by Brajesh Mishra in the Vajpayee Government.

Dixit, who had held several key positions while in the Foreign Service, including High Commissioner to Pakistan and Sri Lanka, is expected to take over the new assignment shortly, official sources said.

He was instrumental in formulating the Congress agenda on defence, security and foreign policy matters before the Lok Sabha elections. He is currently vice chairman of the Foreign Affairs Department of All India Congress Committee (AICC).

Mishra resigned soon after Manmohan Singh Government assumed office last Saturday (May 22, 2004).