Menon may be envoy to China

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 24. The Indian High Commissioner in Colombo, Mr. Shiv Shankar Menon, is likely to posted to Beijing as India's new Ambassador. The current Ambassador to China, Mr. Vijay Nambair, is being shifted to Pakistan, as per an earlier announcement.

Mr. Menon is rated very highly by the Vajpayee foreign policy establishment, and his proposed posting in Beijing is being cited as the high priority the Government accords to its relationship with China.

Mr. Menon's job in Colombo is likely to be taken up by Mr. Gopal Gandhi, currently Secretary to the President, Mr. K.R. Narayanan. Mr. Gandhi has had a remarkably successful stint as India's High Commissioner to South Africa.

However, the changes are not likely to be effected in a hurry. For, the consents of the host Governments has yet to be received. For another, Mr. Menon will obviously be not asked to move till the present turmoil in Sri Lanka settles down to a reasonable equilibrium.

In another change in the offing, Mr. Pawan Varma is slated to be the Ambassador to Cyprus.

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