Top diplomat for India expected to strengthen ties

India on Monday named Vijay Keshav Gokhale, a former ambassador to China, as its new foreign secretary - a move that seems to be in line with the country's focus on relations with China, an expert said.

Cheng Xizhong, a researcher at the Chinese Association for South Asian Studies, said the appointment shows the Indian government attaches great importance to the affairs of China.

Gokhale will take over from incumbent S. Jaishankar when he completes his tenure on Jan 28, according to a notification issued by the Indian Ministry of Personnel.