Shyam Saran demits office

New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) Shyam Saran, Indian Prime
Minister's special envoy on climate change, Sunday demitted
office after a fruitful tenure which saw him play a key role
in ending India's nuclear isolation and drafting policies on
environment-related issues.
Saran resigned from the post on February 19 reportedly
after having differences with Indian Environment Minister
Jairam Ramesh. However, he was permitted to demit office on
March 14.
Saran was initially appointed special envoy during
negotiations relating to the Indo-US Nuclear deal in August
2006, after he retired from the foreign secretary's post.
His role was expanded in April 2008 to cover climate
diplomacy as well to mobilise support for India's stand on
climate change issues ahead of the December 2009 Copenhagen
summit.
Saran and Ramesh were at loggerheads on several issues
including the continuation of the Kyoto Protocol.
Saran refused to speak on whether there were other
reasons for his decision to leave the office.
"No there are not. I had indicated well in advance to the
PMO that March 14 would be my last working day. This is not
something new. There are no differences with the minister, he
is my good friend," the 1970 IFS batch official said.
Saran who had served as Foreign Secretary from July 2004
to September 2006 played a key role in the India-US civil
nuclear deal and drafting of several of the eight missions
under India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
He has also served as Indian Ambassador to Nepal,
Indonesia and Myanmar and High Commissioner to Mauritius. PTI
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