INDIA`S KEY ROLE IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS - RAO

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- India's newly-appointed Foreign Secretary
Nirupama Rao said the government would continue to expand its role in world
affairs to promote an atmosphere of peace and security.

"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.

"This, will be an important area of focus in my new responsibilities," Rao
said after taking office at the Ministry of External Affairs this morning.

The 58-year-old is the second woman to helm the key position after Chokila
Iyer, who held the post in 2001.

The career diplomat replaced Shivahankar Menon who retired Friday, and
she would be the foreign secretary for the next 17 months.

Prior to her current appointment, Rao served as ambassador to China.

Hailing from Kerala, she is an accomplished singer and has a penchant for
classical music, besides writing. Her poems, 'Rain Rising', were published in
2004.
-- BERNAMA