KATHMANDU: The KP Sharma Oli-led government named CPN-UML leader and former Minister for Foreign Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey to head Nepal's diplomatic mission in China.

A Cabinet meeting held today decided to nominate ambassadors in 21 countries.

Pandey served as Nepal's Foreign Minister in the Sushil Koirala-led government.

Currently, he is a member of Prime Minister Oli's party CPN-UML's Central Committee.

Likewise, former Panchayat time minister, Niranjan Thapa, who is affiliated with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa's Rastriya Prajatantra Party-Nepal, has been picked up as Nepal's ambassador to Russia.

Niranjan Thapa is one of the vice-chairmen of the RPP-Nepal.

Who are the nominees?

Mahendra Pandey — China

Durga Bahadur Chhetri — the United Kingdom

Khadga KC — Japan

Khagendra Basyal — Bangladesh

Narad Bhardwaj — Sri Lanka

Tara Prasad Pokhrel — Brazil

Ramesh Khanal — Germany

Jabindra Aryal — Egypt

Padam Sundas — Bahrain

Ali Akbar Mikrani — Saudi Arabia

Mahendra Singh — Qatar

Bharat Bahadur — UAE

Lucky Sherpa — Australia

Sewa Adhikary Lamsal — Pakistan

Yubaraj Karki — South Korea

Niranjan Thapa— Russia

Yuganath Lamsal— Denmar

Shiva Maya Tumbahamphe — Israel

Prakash Subedi — Austria

Lok Bahadur Thapa — Belgium

Rishi Ghimire — Myanmar

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