List of 18 ambassadorial nominees reaches PHC, including Shankar Sharma for India

KATHMANDU, Aug 11: The government's recommendations for appointing ambassadors to 18 different countries have been submitted to the parliamentary hearing committee (PHC). Among those recommended is Shankar Sharma, who has been re-nominated as the ambassador to India despite being recalled by the previous government.

Srijan Baral, deputy secretary of the hearing committee, confirmed that the list reached the committee on Sunday. The recommendations, made on July 30, include several notable figures. CPN-UML Standing Committee member and former Deputy Chairman Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe has been proposed as the ambassador to South Korea.

Other key recommendations include former chief secretary Lokdarshan Regmi and former secretary Chandra Ghimire as the ambassadors to the US and the UK resp, Krishna Prasad Oli for China, and Dr Netra Prasad Timsina for Malaysia. Naresh Bikram Dhakal has been recommended for Saudi Arabia, while Dhan Prasad Pandit has been proposed for Israel and Kapil Shrestha for South Africa.

Additional nominees include Dr Shail Rupakheti for Germany, Kanta Rijal for Australia, and Sanil Nepal for Spain. Ramakrishna Bhattarai has been recommended for Sri Lanka, Prakash Mani Paudel for Portugal, Rita Dhital for Pakistan, Sumnima Tuladhar for Denmark, and Jangab Chauhan for Russia.

The final appointments will be made by the President following approval from the PHC.