Kathmandu, August 24
Nepal’s government is preparing for a major shakeup in its diplomatic posts around the world, sources say.
According to a source privy to the developments, the government will nominate new ambassadors for India, Malaysia the UAE and the UN General Assembly after the conclusion of the BIMSTEC Summit scheduled for next week. It will also recall ambassadors serving in Qatar, Spain, Israel, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Japan, South Korea and Oman.
Meanwhile ambassadors serving in Canada, France, Thailand, South Africa, UN in Geneva and Kuwait are returning home after the completion of their term in office.
Former minister likely to be named enoy to India
According to sources, the Prime Minister is consulting senior leaders of the party to nominate the ambassador to India. NCP leader Rajan Bhattarai, who is also a memember of the Nepal-India EPG, was tipped to take charge of the Nepali post in New Delhi. However, Bhattarai, who lost the contest for the Kathmandu-4 seat in Parliament to NC’s Gagan Thapa, has told the Prime Minister he wants to stay put for five years.
Oli has hinted that he wants to appoint Bhattarai. The Prime Minister is looking for a former minister to lead the Nepali mission in New Delhi, it has been learnt. A section of the party wants former minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, who was earlier nominated as ambassdor to China, to take the position.
Paudel and Rai tipped for UN
Although the government wanted to send Foreign Secretary Shanker Bairagi to the UN, Bairagi wants to complete his tenure in office as the beureaucratic head of the ministry. Bharat Paudel, who is second in the ministry’s hierarchy, is being considered for the job.
Former ambassador to South Africa Amrit Rai, whose term in Pretoria is ending soon, is also being considered for the postion.
Pandey for Malaysia
NCP leader Uday Raj Pandey is likely to be named the ambassador to Malaysia. Foreign Ministry Joint Secretary Krishna Prasad Dhakal is likely to be sent to the UAE.
The recall list
According to a source close to the Prime Minister, the government is planning to recall all ambassadors who were appointed to the post on Nepali Congress and RPP ‘quota’. Bishwambher Pyakurayl, who was sent to Sri Lanka on Congress ‘quote’ is likely to retain his job.
Ramesh Koirala (Qatar), Bharat Raymajhi (Spain), Niranjan Thapa (Israel), Bhim Udas (Myanmar), Chop Lal Bhusal (Bangladesh) and Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh (South Korea) and Pratibha Rana (Japan) are likely to be recalled. Sharmila Parajuli (Oman), who was linked to ‘manpower’ companies in Nepal, has been lobbying with Baluwatar to not be recalled.
Meanwhile, Kali Prasad Pokhrel (Canada), Ambika Luintel (France), Khaganath Adhikari (Thailand), Deepak Dhital (Geneva) and Yagya Bahadur Hamal (Kuwait) are to returning home after completing their term.
