Jaishankar takes charge as foreign secretary

New Delhi, Jan 29: S. Jaishankar took charge as foreign secretary Thursday, a day after the government in a sudden decision curtailed the tenure of incumbent Sujatha Singh seven months before her term was to end. Taking over his new job at South Block, where the ministry of external affairs is housed, Jaishankar said: "My priorities are the government's priorities." He added he was "honoured" to be given the new posting. The Narendra Modi government Wednesday night appointed Jaishankar, an Indian Foreign Service officer of 1977 batch, as the new foreign secretary. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, in a decision taken Wednesday night, decided to "curtail the tenure" of the incumbent Sujatha Singh, "with immediate effect". The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.