Ashok Chaturvedi is new RAW chief

NEW DELHI: Ashok Chaturvedi, a special secretary with the Research and Analysis Wing, would be the next chief of the country's external intelligence agency.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cleared Chaturvedi's name last week before leaving on his ongoing ASEAN trip. Chaturvedi will succeed PK Hormis Tharakan, who retires on January 31.

The government had considered four officers, including Chaturvedi, Amber Sen, another RAW special secretary, and Delhi police commissioner KK Paul.

What swung the appointment in Chaturvedi's favour were his seniority and the government's decision of not to bring in an outsider.

Chaturvedi would get two-year tenure at the head of RAW, which has been through much churning over the past few years.