Kathmandu. The government has recommended the names of various people to be appointed as ambassadors to 13 countries, including India, China and the United States.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Friday under the leadership of Prime Minister Balendra Shah decided to nominate people who have expertise in various fields, those involved in studies and research and have worked in leadership roles as ambassadors.

The government has recommended Dr Nischal Nath Pandey as ambassador to India, Dr Kalyan Raj Sharma as ambassador to China and Chiranjung Thapa as ambassador to the USA.

Likewise, retired army chief Gaurav Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana has been recommended as ambassador to the UK, Jigyan Kumar Thapa as ambassador to Japan, Suresh Kumar Karna as ambassador to Israel, Prapti Sherchan as ambassador to Spain.

Similarly, Sharu Joshi for Germany, Dr. Padmakshi for Oman. Padmakshi Rana, Chudamani Kharel for Malaysia, Prof. Dr. Sangam Shrestha for South Korea. Sangam Shrestha, Dr. Manchala Jha for Sri Lanka and Giri Bahadur Sunar for Saudi Arabia.

The government will now send the names of the recommended ambassadors to the federal parliament for parliamentary hearings. After the completion of the parliamentary hearing process, consent (AGRIMO) will be sought from the concerned country.

There is a legal provision that the President formally appoints ambassadors after receiving the Agrimo from the concerned country.