India's envoy to Nepal to be recalled

New Delhi: Indian envoy to Nepal Rakesh Sood is to be recalled from Kathmandu.

Sources say that External Affair Ministry is unhappy with the performance of Sood.

Sood has been envoy for 2 years and 8 months. Sources say Sood is set to be replaced by MEA special secretary Jayant Prasad, who was formerly India's ambassador in Kabul.

Highly placed MEA sources claim the government is unhappy with Sood's performance. But interestingly the MEA in an official statement has strongly defended Sood. The statement says "Rakesh Sood is not unpopular in Nepal. He is a distinguished IFS officer who has served with dedication and committment. During his tenure, dialogue and development cooperation with Nepal has progressed substantively."

The statement though is silent on Sood continuing as envoy.

Speaking to CNN-IBN from Kathmandu, Sood suggested that he was not being recalled but nearing the end of his tenure. He said "I've put in 2 years and 8 months in this job and if I am moved, so be it".