The Parliamentary Hearing Committee on Tuesday unanimously endorsed the names of the ambassadorial nominees to Canada, Kuwait and Switzerland.

The Cabinet meetings held in December last year, had  recommended Bhrigu Dhungana as Nepal’s ambassador to Canada, Durga Prasad Bhandari as the ambassador to Kuwait and Mani Prasad Bhattarai as the ambassador to Switzerland.

Besides Canada, Dhungana is also the ambassadorial nominee to Cuba and Jamaica. Bhandari is also the ambassadorial nominee to  Iran apart from Kuwait.

All three endorsed candidates hold the position of joint secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The PHC endorsed their  names after they presented their plans on bettering the diplomatic relations with the concerned host countries in case of their appointments.

Earlier on January 17, the PHC had endorsed the government’s ambassadorial nominees to Thailand and France.

The Cabinet meetings held on December 21 and 24 last year had proposed the names of Ganesh Prasad Dhakal as the ambassador nominee to Thailand and Dipak Adhikary to France, along with Dhungana, Bhandari and Bhattarai .

The PHC members have criticised the government for ignoring the issue of

inclusiveness while recommending the ambassadorial candidates.

PHC Chairman Laxman Lal Karna said the committee will discuss the issue of

inclusiveness in the ambassador appointment with the foreign minister in the next meeting.

Published on: 23 January 2019 | The Kathmandu Post