Overview

• He succeeds Sunil Barthwal, who retired on September 30.
• As commerce secretary, he continues to head India–US trade negotiations.
• He is steering the review of the ASEAN goods FTA and talks on proposed pacts with Australia and Peru.
• His remit includes oversight of APEDA and agricultural export-promotion initiatives.
• A 1994-batch IAS officer, he has held senior roles in Manipur, ITPO and the Skill Development ministry, and has advocated ambitious FTAs calibrated to protect domestic industry.