The Hindu : New Delhi News : Ronen Sen likely to get extension

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Monday, Feb 25, 2008
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New Delhi

Ronen Sen likely to get extension

His tenure ends on March 31, govt. not keen on replacing him

New Delhi: Ronen Sen is being asked to continue as India’s Ambassador to the U.S. for one more year, it is understood.

Mr. Sen’s extended tenure ends on March 31 and authoritative sources said the government is apparently not keen on replacing him at this moment when the India-U.S. nuclear deal is at a crucial stage.

The 64-year-old diplomat has been in the U.S. since August 2004.

Though the government earlier decided not to give him an extension, it is understood that there was a rethink. His being asked to continue is seen in the context of deepening India-U.S. relations in which he played a crucial role as also in the unfinished business of the nuclear deal.

The government feels that his continuance will be helpful in the successful conclusion of the agreement.

Mr. Sen was in the eye of a storm, for his alleged remarks terming parliamentarians “headless chicken.” This led to his censure by the Privileges Committee of both Houses after the ambassador was summoned.

The government is also contemplating giving extension to Nirupam Sen, India’s permanent envoy to the United Nations.

Recently top U.S. lawmakers including the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Joseph Biden, said time was running out for congressional action on the civilian nuclear deal in the context of a crowded congressional calendar in an election year. — PTI

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