New Delhi – In a significant diplomatic development, Mr. Arindam Bagchi, an accomplished diplomat belonging to the 1995 batch of the esteemed Indian Foreign Service (IFS), is slated to assume the prestigious position of India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations in Geneva. This momentous announcement comes from sources well-versed in the matter.
Mr. Bagchi, who had taken on the role of External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson in March 2021, has had an illustrious tenure marked by pivotal events such as India’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the nation’s resolute stance during the standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Notably, Mr. Bagchi’s elevation to an ambassadorial post was on the horizon following his promotion to the rank of Additional Secretary some time ago. However, he was entrusted to continue his role until the culmination of the G20 Summit.
Among the diplomats being considered as potential successors to Mr. Bagchi in the capacity of the Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson are Mr. Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur, serving as Joint Secretary (G20), and Ms. K Nandini Singla, who holds the esteemed position of High Commissioner to Mauritius, according to sources who wish to remain anonymous.
Mr. Kakanur, a distinguished member of the 1998 IFS batch, is a proficient Mandarin speaker and boasts four significant tenures in China. His role as a crucial part of the team led by India’s G20 Sherpa, Mr. Amitabh Kant, during the recent G20 Summit, places him as a frontrunner for the coveted spokesperson position.
Ms. K Nandini Singla, hailing from the 1997 IFS batch, has an impressive track record, having served as the Ambassador to Portugal from 2016 to 2020, and as Joint Secretary (Europe West) in 2015-16. Her previous assignment at the Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva during 2009-11, along with her service at the High Commission in Bangladesh during 2005-08, adds to her credentials. Should she be appointed as the spokesperson, she would be a trailblazer, becoming the first woman diplomat to hold this esteemed position since Nirupama Rao, who held the role during 2001-02 before ascending to the position of Foreign Secretary.
Mr. Bagchi’s impending appointment to Geneva will see him replace Mr. Indra Mani Pandey, who is anticipated to return to the headquarters in New Delhi. Mr. Bagchi’s prior experience at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, focusing on economic and development matters, coupled with his tenure as Director in the Prime Minister’s Office overseeing relations with the UN, the Americas, and Russia, has positioned him admirably for this crucial diplomatic role.
It is worth noting that Mr. Bagchi’s diplomatic career has also included assignments as Ambassador to Croatia and Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.
This development marks an exciting chapter in India’s diplomatic engagement with the international community, as Mr. Arindam Bagchi prepares to take the helm in Geneva.
