M A I N   N E W S

Two more diplomats put in papers

New Delhi, September 26
Two more senior diplomats—India’s Ambassador to France, Mr T.C.A. Rangachari and High Commissioner to Bangladesh Veena Sikri, are understood to have put in their papers in protest against the appointment of Mr Shiv Shanker Menon as the Foreign Secretary.

There is no official announcement about the development. It is not known whether the requests of Mr Rangachari and Ms Sikri for premature retirement have been accepted by the government.

Earlier this month, Mr Rajiv Sikri, who is Ms Veena Sikri's husband, had resigned as Secretary (East) to lodge his protest against Mr Menon’s appointment who has superseded 16 IFS officers.

The Sikris are 1970-batch officers and are senior to Mr Menon by two years. — TNS