Indian Envoy in Sri Lanka to Move to China

The Indian High Commissioner (ambassador) to Sri Lanka Shiv Shankar Menon has been named new ambassador to China and is expected to assume duties in the near future, diplomats said Wednesday.

The new appointment came in the wake of renewed ties between the two countries as Indian President Kocheril Raman Narayanan concluded a 7-day state visit to China earlier this month.

The appointment also occurred when the world's two most populous countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Menon has served as a diplomat for 28 years. He has earlier served in China twice, from 1974 to 1977 and from 1986 to 1989.

Menon, 51, fluent in Chinese, German and French, was in charge of the East-Asia desk at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in 1972. He also served in Vienna, Tokyo and Tel Aviv.

He was the Indian Ambassador in Israel before he assumed duties in Sri Lanka in 1997.



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