Outlining India's foreign policy interest, which includes regional challenges and relations with neighbours, Rao underlined that 'economic diplomacy and public diplomacy are also issues that demand increased attention'.

A topper of the 1973 Indian Foreign Service batch, Rao became the first woman spokesperson of the external affairs ministry in 2001. She then went on become the Indian envoy to Sri Lanka and then China before returning to New Delhi.

In her 36-year-long career, she has served also as ambassador in Peru and deputy chief of mission in Moscow.

Rao's tenure as foreign secretary will end in December 2010, when she will retire from the foreign service.