Government okays ex-IAF chief Browne as ambassador to Oslo

NEW DELHI: Amid speculation that the Centre was looking to recall envoys who are political appointees, the Narendra Modi led government has approved the appointment of former air force chief NAK Browne as India's ambassador to Norway.

TOI learned on Friday that Browne has been asked to move to Oslo at the earliest in view of President Pranab Mukherjee's upcoming visit to Norway in October.

The decision to appoint Browne as envoy to Norway was taken by the UPA-II government in April this year. With Browne yet to take up his posting, there was speculation that he did not enjoy the confidence of the new government.

The post in Norway just fell vacant with former incumbent RK Tyagi retiring on July 31. "It is normal for the successor to join after a short gap," said a source. With the government reshuffling and even sacking governors, speculation that the same treatment was likely to be given to envoys too had intensified.

There has been speculation also about India's high commissioner to UK Ranjan Mathai and former chief of naval staff Nirmal Verma, who heads the mission in Canada. Verma is retiring in October in any case. Mathai retired as foreign secretary last year and was sent to London in December.