Rao, who replaced Shiv Shankar Menon, attended a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on national security as her first assignment. The seasoned diplomat, who was India’s ambassador in Beijing, is the second woman after Chokila Iyer to assume the top post.
In a statement after taking charge, the 58-year old Rao said: “I strongly believe that our diplomacy and our diplomats play a vital role in promoting national interest and safeguarding our national goals of development in an atmosphere of peace and security.”
The 1973-batch IFS officer added: “Today, in a rapidly evolving world situation, the task is to further augment our diplomatic and professional capabilities as we are called upon to play an even more prominent role in world affairs.
She had served in various key positions, including India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and was the first woman spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs. She had also served in the Indian Missions in Washington and Moscow, besides a stint in the Ministry of External Affairs as Joint Secretary (East Asia).
Nirupama graduated from Mount Carmel College in 1969-70. She is married to Karnataka Chief Secretary Sudhakar Rao.
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