In a key administrative reshuffle, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of two senior Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers to prominent positions in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The appointments will take effect after the retirement of the current incumbents on August 31, 2025, according to orders issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on July 29.
Also Read: India-Kuwait Ties Deepen: Ambassador Adarsh Swaika Meets Kuwaiti PM to Advance Strategic Goals
Mr. Sudhakar Dalela to be Secretary (Economic Relations)
Mr. Sudhakar Dalela, a 1993-batch IFS officer, has been appointed as the next Secretary (Economic Relations) in the MEA. He will succeed Mr. Dammu Ravi (IFS:1989), who is scheduled to superannuate on August 31, 2025. Mr. Dalela is currently serving in a senior capacity within the MEA and is known for his wide-ranging experience in both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. His new role will involve overseeing India’s economic diplomacy and external trade engagements, including multilateral economic forums.
Mr. Sibi George to be Secretary (West)
In another significant appointment, Mr. Sibi George, also a 1993-batch IFS officer, has been named the next Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs. He will take charge following the retirement of Mr. Tanmaya Lal (IFS:1991) on August 31, 2025. Mr. George has previously served in several ambassadorial roles and brings deep expertise in India’s foreign policy dealings with countries in the western hemisphere, including Europe, the Americas, and Africa.
These appointments form part of the routine senior-level reshuffle in the external affairs ministry, reflecting the government’s focus on placing experienced diplomats in key positions to further India’s strategic and economic interests on the global stage.
Also Read: Director At PMO IFS Sweta Singh Reviews Progress of Vibrant Village Programme in Ladakh
