Chokila Iyer takes charge

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 13. Ms. Chokila Iyer today assumed charge as India's first-ever woman Foreign Secretary, replacing Mr. Lalit Mansingh, who is moving over to Washington as Ambassador.

Ms. Iyer, who belongs to Sikkim, said she was looking forward to a challenging tenure. Foreign policy, she said, had been set on a new course and she hoped to carry forward this momentum.

Asked to comment on the impact her appointment would have on women IFS officers, Ms. Iyer said ``I think it is a great step. I am sure this will be an encouragement to all our young lady officers who are bright, conscientious and very hard working.''

A 1964 batch officer, Ms. Iyer earlier headed the Indian mission in Ireland. Her tenure as Foreign Secretary ends in June 2002.

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