<P>Rao - India's new Foreign Secy

<P>Nirupama Rao today took over as the new Foreign Secretary of India.

<P>The 58-year-old seasoned diplomat, a former High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, succeeds Shivshankar Menon. Her last assignment was in China as India's Ambassador. She was also the first woman spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry. Earlier, she had served in the Indian missions in Washington and Moscow.

<P>"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," Rao said after assuming charge. 

<P>She will hold the post for around 18 months.