Seasoned diplomat Vijay Keshav Gokhale will take charge as the next foreign secretary today, succeeding S Jaishankar.<br/>'<br/>A 1981-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Mr Gokhale is currently serving as the Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs. <br/>'<br/>He was India's Ambassador to China before moving back to the MEA in New Delhi. Mr Gokhale will have a two-year tenure as the Foreign Secretary. He has also served as India's top envoy to Germany and worked in Indian missions in Hong Kong, Hanoi and in New York.<br/>'<br/>Earlier this month, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the appointment of Mr Gokhale to the post of Foreign Secretary.<br/><br/>Dr Jaishankar was appointed foreign secretary in January 2015, for two years. He was given a one-year extension in January last year.<br/>