These fab four IFS officers helped India achieve the difficult G20 consensus
Indian Foreign Service officers played pivotal roles in India's successful bid to secure a consensus at the recent G20 Leaders Summit. As per a TOI report, these officers, working closely with India's G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant, were instrumental in navigating the challenging negotiations that spanned over 200 hours, involving 300 bilateral meetings and 15 draft revisions.
Announcing the achievement on the microblogging site X, Amitabh Kant shared his appreciation for the tireless efforts of these diplomats.
He stated, «The most complex part of the entire G20 was to bring consensus on the geopolitical paras (Russia-Ukraine). This was done over 200 hours of non-stop negotiations, 300 bilateral meetings, 15 drafts.
In this, I was greatly assisted by two brilliant officers.»
Here's a brief introduction to the four officers who contributed significantly to this diplomatic triumph:
- Abhay Thakur, additional secretary, G20 Secretariat: An engineer-turned-diplomat who joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1992, Abhay Thakur played an indispensable role in the negotiations. With a wealth of experience gained from his postings in Moscow, London, Ho Chi Minh City, and as High Commissioner of India to Nigeria and Mauritius, Thakur's expertise helped secure consensus on critical issues.
- Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur, joint secretary, G20 Secretariat: A 1998 batch IFS officer, Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur, served as the coordinator for various G20 initiatives, including those related to anti-corruption, culture, development, digital economy, education, foreign ministers, and tourism working groups. His fluency in Chinese and his extensive experience, including stints in China and the United Nations, proved invaluable during the negotiations.
- Enam
