Salman Khurshid has taken charge as the External Affairs Minister, the only minister to assume the charge immediately after the swearing-in ceremony.

"The Prime Minister and Congress President have placed a very very important responsibility on my shoulders. It will be my endevour to ensure that I live up to their very high standards," Khurshid, 59-year-old lawyer by training, said after taking over from his predecessor S M Krishna at South Block.