Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government has recommended ambassadors to 13 countries.
A cabinet meeting held on Friday recommended ambassadors for China, India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Israel, Spain, Germany, Oman, Malaysia, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.
All the proposed ambassadors are from outside the diplomatic service. Most of them applied after the government invited applications for the vacant positions. They have extensive experience in areas ranging from foreign affairs, security, economics, development, technology, migration, climate and public policy.
Here we present a short introduction of the proposed ambassadors:
1. Dr. Nischal Nath Pandey – India
Dr Pandey is an academic specializing in foreign policy and South Asian affairs. He is the director of the Centre for South Asian Studies and previously served as executive director of the Institute of Foreign Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also served as an adviser to the National Planning Commission. Pandey holds a PhD in political science from Tribhuvan University. He is an honorary associate professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bengaluru and a non-resident senior fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore.
2. Dr Kalyan Sharma – China
Dr Sharma is an expert on Nepal-China relations, economics and trade. He holds a PhD in economics from Fudan University in China. He specializes in foreign direct investment, trade and tourism financing. He has worked on Nepal-China economic diplomacy and Belt and Road cooperation. He currently chairs the Fudan University Alumni Association Nepal, the Nepal-China Friendship Forum, and the Council of Sinologists-Nepal.
3. Dr Chiran Jung Thapa – US
Dr Thapa is an expert in security and international affairs. He holds a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Since 2017, he has served as Oxfam’s regional security adviser for Asia, leading risk and crisis management efforts across 15 countries.
4. Gaurav Shamsher JB Rana – UK
Former Chief of Army Staff Rana served in the Nepali Army for more than four decades. During his tenure, former Maoist combatants were integrated into the Nepali Army. The army also led rescue and relief operations following the 2015 earthquake under his leadership. Rana led the army during Nepal’s transition to a federal democratic republic and introduced the Nepali Army’s 10-year long-term plan and the Military Doctrine 2013.
5. Jigyan Thapa – Japan
Thapa has worked to strengthen Nepal-Japan relations for more than two decades. He works at the Kanagawa International Foundation in Japan as an expert on international cooperation, public policy and multicultural affairs.
6. Suresh Kumar Karn – Israel
Karn has more than three decades of experience in information technology, banking and economic policy. He held leadership positions at Kumari Bank and Nepal Bank and has also served as president of the Federation of Computer Associations Nepal (CAN Federation).
7. Prapti Sherchan – Spain
Sherchan is an expert in international development and partnerships. She works at the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group.
8. Sharu Joshi – Germany
Joshi is a policy expert with more than 25 years of experience in foreign employment, migration governance, gender equality and international cooperation.
9. Dr Padmakshi Rana – Oman
Rana works in sustainable development, innovation and international cooperation. She is the executive director and co-founder of Impact Hub Kathmandu. Sherchan holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge.
10. Chudamani Kharel – Malaysia
Kharel has studied political science and law. He is currently the secretary-general of the Nepal Yoga Sports Association. He has previously held leadership positions in various sports organizations.
11. Dr. Sangam Shrestha – South Korea
Dr Shrestha is an expert in water resources, climate resilience and international cooperation. He is a professor at the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand and founding co-director of the Global Water and Sanitation Center.
12. Dr. Manchala Jha – Sri Lanka
Dr. Jha is an expert on good governance and public policy. She previously served as a commissioner at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
13. Dr Giri Bahadur Sunar – Saudi Arabia
Dr Sunar is an expert in sociology and development. He is involved in sectors such as social protection, gender equality, social inclusion and climate adaptation.
