Shivshankar Menon is the new national security advisor.

The appointment of the 60-year-old career diplomat, who succeeds M. K. Narayanan — who has been named West Bengal governor — was announced on Thursday.

“I am conscious this is a very great responsibility. I will do my best”, Menon told HT.

Menon is the second former foreign secretary to hold the position after J. N. Dixit.