Former Dy Consul General in the Indian consulate in New York Devyani Khobragade (IFS:1999) has been appointed as Director (State Govts) in the Ministry of External Affairs. She has chosen the state of Kerala to promote the South Indian state's economic interests in other countries. In her new assignment she will also help in sorting out problems of Keralities working abroad. After the row between India and US over the alleged visa violation in December 2013 she was made to move back to India.