Three top diplomats get extension

NEW DELHI: India’s top three diplomats, Ronen Sen, Kamlesh Sharma and Kanwal Sibal, are likely to get a year’s extension. In fact, Ronen Sen, India’s Ambassador to the United States, has already been informed of the decision. A formal decision in the case of the other two is likely to be taken shortly.

Their terms were to expire in August. Ronen Sen has been playing a key role as India’s point-man in Washington, especially with regard to the Indo- US civilian nuclear deal. Kamlesh Sharma is India’s High Commissioner in London, while Sibal, has been holding down the fort in Moscow Ronen Sen has been instrumental in negotiating the Nuclear Civilian deal that is currently before the US Congress, and in helping improve relations between the two countries. The government believes that it’s important to have somebody with his experience in Washington at this critical juncture.

All three also enjoy the backing of people who wield considerable clout in Delhi. Ronen Sen has worked closely with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and has considerable access to the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Kamlesh Sharma is the brother-in-law of Suman Dubey, a family friend of the Gandhi’s.

Kanwal Sibal was India’s foreign secretary during the previous regime, and is also the brother of Science & Technology minister Kapil Sibal.