First Woman To Lead Indian Mission In Pakistan.

 

Geetika Srivastava is set to become India's first female charge d'affaires at its High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan. Currently serving as a joint secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), she will take over from Dr M Suresh Kumar, who is expected to return to New Delhi.

In her new role, Geetika Srivastava will temporarily lead the Indian diplomatic mission in Islamabad in the absence of the Ambassador or High Commissioner. The position of charge d'affaires involves several responsibilities and is a significant role in diplomatic affairs.

Diplomatic missions between Commonwealth countries are referred to as High Commissions, while those between non-Commonwealth countries are known as Embassies.

The diplomatic relationship between India and Pakistan has been strained, and their missions in Islamabad and New Delhi have been without High Commissioners since August 2019, with charge d'affaires serving in their place.

Geetika Srivastava, a member of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) since 2005, has a diverse background in diplomacy. She has previously served at the Indian High Commission in China from 2007 to 2009, worked at the Regional Passport Office in Kolkata, and held the position of Director of the Indian Ocean Region division in the Ministry of External Affairs.

While women diplomats from India have previously served in Pakistan, they have not held top positions like this before. The role of a High Commissioner in Pakistan involves unique challenges due to the complex relationship between the two countries. Islamabad was classified as a "non-family" posting for Indian diplomats in recent years, which could limit women officers from taking up such roles due to family considerations.