PMO permits Saran to demit office in March

New Delhi, Feb 19(ANI): Prime Minister's office (PMO) on Friday evening permitted the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on Climate Change, Shyam Saran, to demit office with effect from March 14.

Saran also played a crucial role in negotiating civil nuclear agreement with US.

In a release issued here PMO said: "Shyam Saran, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister for Indo- US nuclear issues and for Climate Change, has been permitted to demit office with effect from March 14, 2010."

Earlier in the day it was reported that Saran has put in his papers.

Saran was considered a key aide of Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Speculations are rife that Saran quit after being pipped to the National Security Advisor's (NSA) post by Shiv Shankar Menon.

Menon served under Saran in various capacities during his service in Indian Foreign Service (IFS).

A section of the ruling UPA also felt that Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh was competent enough to negotiate climate issues with the international community.

Saran is a 1970 batch Indian Foreign Service officer and also served as Foreign Secretary from July 2004 to September 2006.

He has also served as Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Indonesia and Myanmar, High Commissioner to Mauritius, Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, Deputy Chief of Mission in Tokyo and Counsellor in the Indian Embassy in Beijing. (ANI)