| Menon, who superseded at least 13 foreign service officials for the job belongs to the 1972 batch and has served in various capacities in Japan, China, Austria and Sri Lanka. He was also advisor to the department of atomic energy. |
| Menon, expected to have a three-year term, has been selected over many seniors, which may create problems for him. Sources in the government said had Menon been appointed next year, at least 10 out of 13 diplomats senior to him would have retired. |
| "However, his appointment is in accordance with a new norm that persons selected for such senior posts should have at least 2-3 years of service left," said a top government official. |
| Saran's appointment, however, is more significant as it shows Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's firm control over such postings. An attempt to have Saran appointed as a special advisor on foreign affairs was scuttled, allegedly by National Security Advisor MK Narayanan, last month. |
| At that time, Saran was given a month's extension. Menon will take over on October 1. |
| Sources said Saran was highly regarded by the prime minister, who had been for long toying with the idea of appointing a special envoy to lead the lengthy negotiations with the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following the deal. |
| "This has been in the offing for some time. We needed someone who understands these issues," said a PMO official. |
| However, how Saran will work with Indian Ambassador to the US, Ronen Sen, is a moot question. Sen has been key in negotiating critical issues with politicians and has been liaising with the Indian diaspora. It may be difficult for him to yield ground to Saran. |
| Saran joins the other two special envoys, Chinmay Gharekhan for West Asia and Satinder Lamba for Pakistan. Special envoys have the status of a minister of state and today's move could pave the way for Saran to be co-opted into the political establishment. |
Top Section
Explore Business Standard