NEW DELHI: There was a minor reshuffle in the ministry of external affairs, with the important Pakistan desk getting a new face.
On Tuesday, DOPT had announced that IFS Vinay Mohan Kwatra will join Prime Minister’s office as Officer on Special Duty. This had led to changes within the ministry, with the important desk supervising India’s relation with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran getting a new head in Gopal Baglay (IFS 1992).
Bagley had been the deputy high commissioner in Pakistan and had returned to be the joint secretary in charge of liaison with state governments. He retains the states portfolio for now.
Rudrendra Tandon (IFS 1994) who had been JS (PAI) since June 2013 will get a multilateral post – as he moves to the United Nations Political desk. Munu Mahawar (IFS 1996) who had been JS (UNP) till now, will instead get Kwatra’s old job as joint secretary in charge of Americas.
While the circular for these changes have already been announced, there is expected to be more movements in the offing in headquarters.
Shambu Kumaran (IFS 1995) who is looking after joint secretary (Eurasia) is likely to move on deputation to ministry of defence – which will be mean that an IFS officer will be posted in the southernmost side of South Block after several years.
There will be another vacancy when joint secretary in development partnership division, Manpreet Vohra (1988) moves to Afghanistan as India’s next ambassador.