<p>Rao, 60, will be demitting office July 31 at the end of her two-year term. The government has decided to appoint Rao as the next envoy in Washington, the sources said.Rao will replace Meera Shankar, who has held the post since 2009.<br /><br />During Rao's term, the cabinet had amended its rules to ensure that any foreign secretary should serve for a period of two years. She had been given a seven-month extension in December.<br /><br />An announcement of her new posting is expected from the government soon, along with that of the next foreign secretary.</p>
<p>Rao, 60, will be demitting office July 31 at the end of her two-year term. The government has decided to appoint Rao as the next envoy in Washington, the sources said.Rao will replace Meera Shankar, who has held the post since 2009.<br /><br />During Rao's term, the cabinet had amended its rules to ensure that any foreign secretary should serve for a period of two years. She had been given a seven-month extension in December.<br /><br />An announcement of her new posting is expected from the government soon, along with that of the next foreign secretary.</p>