Kathmandu: Nepal's Communist-led
coalition government is planning to recall its ambassador to
India, Rukma Shumsher Rana, according to sources.
Rana was appointed the envoy to India by the
government led by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal at the
recommendation of the Nepali Congress party, which was a key
member of the coalition, two years back.
Following the formation of the new government led by
Jhala Nath Khanal with the crucial support of the Maoists in
February, Rana's position has been shaky, sources said.
According to media reports here, Rana has been called
back. Moreover, a row had earlier erupted over Rana's link
with Dabur Nepal, an Indian joint venture.
Nepal's parliamentary committee had asked the
government to recall him after Dabur Nepal was dragged into
the controversy of allegedly supplying substandard juice
products.
State-run Gorkhapatra daily today quoted Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav as saying that
Rana had been asked to return back from New Delhi.
Rana was conspicuous by his absence during the April
visit of Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna.
Reports said he had been sidelined by the new
government.
In a related development, Kantipur daily quoted
officials as saying that the government is planning to recall
its ambassadors to USA and UK if they failed to cooperate with
the government.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 22:51