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Salman Haidar appointed high commissioner to the UK

Former foreign secretary Salman Haidar was today named as India's new high commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Haidar, who left office as foreign secretary in June 1996, succeeds L M Singhvi. An external affairs ministry release said Haidar is expected to take up his assignment shortly.

An Indian Foreign Service officer of the 1960 batch, Haidar is considered one of India's best diplomats. He was to retire as foreign secretary in 1996 but was given one-year extension by the United Front government.

Prior to becoming the foreign secretary in 1995, Haidar was secretary (east) in the external affairs ministry. He also held many other crucial posts in his career.

Among other important positions he held was that of director in the prime minister's office, the external affairs ministry spokesperson, the deputy high commissioner of India to the United Kingdom and India's ambassador to China.

Haidar also led the Indian delegation at the first two rounds of the resumed foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan earlier this year.

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