KATHMANDU, JAN 18 - India’s Ambassador to Nepal Shyam Saran has been recalled by his government much before he completes his tenure ostensibly to appoint him as the next foreign secretary, sources in Kathmandu revealed.
A report in the Friday’s edition of the Calcutta-based The Telegraph revealed that Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has taken the decision to recall Saran, just 15 months into his tenure in Kathmandu, and replace him with Shiv Mukherjee, at present India’s ambassador to South Africa. The report added that Mukherjee’s appointment has been cleared by President APJ. Abdul Kalam as India’s new ambassador to Nepal.
Indian Embassy officials in Kathmandu chose not to comment on the report.
Saran took charge of the Kathmandu-based Embassy in October 2002. The career diplomat was pulled out of Indonesia two years ago to be sent to Nepal.
The paper added that Saran’s recall should not be seen as a demotion as "indications suggest that if he comes to South Block, he would be made a
secretary and later might even be appointed foreign secretary".
Quoting sources, the daily said Saran was not too keen to return to Delhi at this juncture and might still try and stay back in Kathmandu, as he considers it a challenging and rewarding posting. However, the sources added that Saran is reluctant to return to Delhi also because he had not been given any categorical assurance that after some months – which might even extend to a year – he would be appointed foreign secretary.Posted on: 2004-01-19 04:05

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