New Delhi: Seasoned diplomat Shyam Saran today (August 2, 2004) took over as the new Foreign Secretary when the Government is confronted with the hostage crisis in Iraq and other "global challenges".

"We live in a time when the Ministry of External Affairs is required to face number of global challenges whether political, economic or security-related", 57-year old Saran, a 1970-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, told reporters soon after assuming charge of the top post.

He has been closely associated in Government's dealing with the hostage crisis involving three Indians and assisting Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed who is heading the Crisis Management Group on the issue.

Saran said "it is a privilege and honour to assume the office of Foreign Secretary to Government of India" and added "we belong to a Foreign Service that is committed to the highest professional standards of excellence in the cause of the nation. It will be my endeavour to carry these traditions forward".

He takes over at a juncture when there have been positive signs of improvement in Indo-Pak ties as also a new momentum in India's relations with the US, China and Russia.

Saran, till recently India's Ambassador to Nepal, succeeds Shashank whose term ended on July 31. Saran's tenure will be for a little over two years till September 2006.