The Geopolitics and Diplomat Focus For Next Ambassador To US
As India is on its strategic rise in global affairs from hard power to soft power, IFS officers have to strengthen their diplomacy game and their strategic game(involving high-quality strategic thinking). As lines of high-grade strategic games and diplomacy are blurring, IFS officers have to rise to a higher level of understanding of the VUCA world and great power games, which are vigorously evolving today. Perhaps such considerations would soon be on the tables of top brass before picking up ambassadors, especially for P-5 countries. One such consideration is now in MEA where the present India's Ambassador to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu is retiting after completing his extended tenure in end of this month. Some names are being considered, which include present India's Ambassador to Russia, Pavan Kapoor, IFS: 1990 batch and the second is Mrs Reenat Sandhu, IFS: 1989, current India's Ambassador to the Netherlands, who is also the wife of outgoing India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandu. Interestingly, Mrs Sandhu has six months, but an extension in service cannot be ignored if her appointment as India's Ambassador to the US is considered. Top sources said that Mrs Sandhu is brilliant in diplomacy, including economic diplomacy, and has a strategic depth, which is currently required in the Indo-US relationship, and therefore, it won't be surprising to see her in Washington DC.
Similarly, one more case of the extension might come into the picture if Vikram Misi IFS: 1989 is considered for the next Ambassador to the US like Sandhu. He, too, has a strong sense of strategic depth and negotiating diplomacy(Diplomatic negotiation). Having served in China, he knows how to handle crises well; he is due to retire in November this year. The second name is Pavan Kapoor IFS: 1990 batch, India's Ambassador to the Russian Federation. Kapoor brings strong knowledge and experience of Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East along with the required strategic depth with fine diplomacy. He has also served in PMO, and therefore, with such strong credentials, he is in the fray for the next Ambassador to the US.
Other names were also considered, like Sanjay Verma IFS: 1988, who is presently India's Ambassador to Canada, but considering the present Indo-Canda relationship, he might stay for increased vigil and cooperation involving ironing out wrinkles in the relationship. Verma, too, is said to have a strong sense of strategic depth with diplomacy as he cautiously and brilliantly handled the strained Indo-Canada relationship while asserting India's concerns and interests. The geopolitical and strategic factors will surely become more focused in MEA, especially for young IFS officers, which will eventually help India steer its journey towards a strategic rise in the global order.
