The question asks about the individual appointed as the Foreign Secretary of India in early 2018. The Foreign Secretary is a key position in the Government of India, heading the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and serving as the principal advisor to the External Affairs Minister on foreign policy matters.

Understanding appointments in key government positions is important for general awareness, especially regarding significant changes like the head of foreign affairs.

Understanding the Role of Foreign Secretary of India

The Foreign Secretary is the senior-most civil servant in the Ministry of External Affairs. Their responsibilities include:

• Serving as the administrative head of the Ministry.
• Advising the External Affairs Minister on foreign policy issues.
• Representing India in international negotiations and summits.
• Overseeing the functioning of Indian missions abroad.

This position is crucial for implementing India's foreign policy and maintaining diplomatic relations with other countries.

Analyzing the Foreign Secretary Appointment in Early 2018

To answer this question, we need to recall or find information about who held the position of Foreign Secretary of India around the beginning of 2018. Significant bureaucratic appointments are usually public knowledge.

Checking records for the timeframe mentioned, the individual who took charge as the Foreign Secretary of India in early 2018 was Vijay Keshav Gokhale. He succeeded S. Jaishankar.

Evaluation of Options

Let's look at the provided options:

1. Vijay Keshav Gokhale: Research confirms that Mr. Gokhale was appointed as the Foreign Secretary of India in January 2018.
2. Rajni Sekhri Sibal: Rajni Sekhri Sibal is known for her work as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, not typically associated with the Foreign Secretary position in early 2018.
3. Usha Rani: Usha Rani is not recognized as having held the position of Foreign Secretary of India, particularly in the specified timeframe.
4. Nitin Kumar Yadav: Nitin Kumar Yadav is not known to have been the Foreign Secretary of India.

Based on verifiable information regarding the Foreign Secretary appointments in India, Vijay Keshav Gokhale took office in early 2018.

Conclusion on Foreign Secretary Appointment

The appointment of the Foreign Secretary is a significant event in India's diplomatic structure. For the period of early 2018, the records show a change in leadership at the Ministry of External Affairs.

Vijay Keshav Gokhale served as the Foreign Secretary from January 2018 to January 2020.

Therefore, the individual who was newly appointed and took charge as the Foreign Secretary of India in early 2018 was Vijay Keshav Gokhale.

Revision Table: Key Indian Government Roles

Additional Information: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is the government agency responsible for the conduct of foreign relations of India. It is headed by the External Affairs Minister, who is a cabinet minister. The Foreign Secretary is the senior-most bureaucrat within the MEA and is responsible for managing the administrative and diplomatic functions of the ministry.

Understanding the structure of the MEA and the roles of its key officials like the Foreign Secretary provides valuable insight into how India conducts its foreign policy and international relations.

The Foreign Secretary plays a crucial role in advising the political leadership and coordinating the efforts of various divisions within the MEA and Indian missions abroad to achieve India's foreign policy objectives.