Mathai takes charge as foreign secretary

Veteran diplomat Ranjan Mathai on Monday assumed charge as new foreign secretary succeeding Nirupama Rao. Addressing mediapersons at South Block in New Delhi, Mathai said his mandate is to restore the trust and confidence with Pakistan. Mathai also said the ministry would have to be clear about national priorities and interests, and added that the other challenges are foreign policies and its outreach through diplomacy in a holistic way.