Navtej Sarna Appointed India's Ambassador to US

India's High Commissioner to Britain Navtej Sarna was today appointed as the next Ambassador to the US as that country prepares for a presidential transition.
•    He takes charge after Arun Kumar Singh retired at the end of last month. 
•    Both Mr Sarna and Mr Singh are former Indian ambassadors to Israel, underlying the importance of a posting in Tel Aviv which is one of Washington's closest allies.
•    Before moving to London, Mr Sarna was Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs where he oversaw the successful hosting of the India-Africa Forum Summit last October. 
•    The summit was attended by a record number of 53 African countries. 
•    Mr Sarna was among the longest-serving spokespersons of the ministry between 2002 and 2008. 
•    He has also had postings in Moscow, Warsaw, Tehran, Geneva and Thimphu.
•    Mr Sarna is also a prolific author of many fiction and non-fiction books, the most recent being 'Second Thoughts: On Books, Authors and the Writerly Life' that was released last year.