Top diplomat Pankaj Saran is new deputy NSA

New Delhi: The government has appointed senior diplomat Pankaj Saran as the deputy national security advisor. Mr Saran is currently serving as India’s ambassador to Russia.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) on Tuesday cleared Mr Saran’s appointment as the deputy national security advisor. The tenure would be for two years. Initially, the appointment would be on deputation till the date of his superannuation which is November 30, 2018. Subsequently, it would be a re-employment on contract.

Mr Saran, a 1982 batch officer of Indian Foreign Service (IFS), was appointed as India’s envoy to Russia in November, 2015. He has held various positions in India and abroad, including the country’s high commissioner to Bangladesh.

He has also worked as a joint secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. between 2007 and 2012. Former chief of the Intelligence Bureau, Ajit Doval is presently the national security advisor.