Himal Press 
Cabinet Meeting (File Photo)
KATHMANDU: The government has extended the term of Dr Shankar Sharma as Nepal’s ambassador to India and has recalled Bishnu Pukar Shrestha from China.
Shrestha had been appointed to China on the quota of CPN (Maoist Center).
The cabinet meeting held on Monday decided to recall Shrestha, according to a minister.
Shrestha will be replaced by Krishna Prasad Oli who is currently serving as the Chairperson of the National Trust for Nature Conservation.
According to the minister, former Chief Secretary Lokdarshan Regmi has been recommended as Nepal’s ambassador to the US, while Chandra Ghimire, who was earlier recommended for the US, will now head to the United Kingdom.
Similarly, former deputy speaker Shivamaya Tumbahangphe will be posted to South Korea, while Dr. Netra Timsina will head the Nepali mission in Malaysia.
In total, 18 ambassadors have been recommended, though the cabinet’s full decision has not been made public.
As per the Constitution of Nepal, 2015, the President will appoint the ambassadors after their recommendations are endorsed by the Parliamentary Hearing Committee.
In India, there were plans to replace Sharma with Security Council Advisor Shankar Das Bairagi. However, the cabinet decided to retain Sharma at the eleventh hour. It remains unclear whether Sharma, who had already bid farewell in India, will return to accept a new appointment or continue his current term.
The cabinet has decided to recall Milan Tuladhar from Russia, Kailash Raj Pokharel from Australia, Basudev Mishra from Sri Lanka and Dan Bahadur Tamang from South Africa.
Likewise, Dr Naresh Bikram Dhakal, who was returned from Qatar by the previous government, has been given a new assignment in Saudi Arabia.
Similarly, Dhan Prasad Pandit has been recommended for Israel to replace Kanta Rijal who has been recommended for Australia.
The cabinet has recommended Kapil Man Shrestha for South Africa, Joint Secretary Prakash Mani Paudel for Portugal, and Joint Secretary Rita Dhital for Pakistan. Dhital will replace Tapas Adhikari who is returning after completing his term in December.
Ambassadorial Recommendations
Dr Shankar Sharma – India
Krishna Prasad Oli – China
Lok Darshan Regmi – US
Chandra Ghimire – UK
Dr Shivamaya Tumbahangphe – South Korea
Dr Netra Timsina – Malaysia
Dhan Prasad Pandit – Israel
Dr Naresh Bikram Dhakal – Saudi Arabia
Kanta Rijal – Australia
Kapil Man Shrestha – South Africa
Prakash Man Paudel – Portugal
Rita Dhital – Pakistan
Shail Rupakheti – Germany
Ram Krishna Bhattarai – Sri Lanka
Sanil Nepal – Portugal
