KATHMANDU: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Bhim Rawal said that the government had decided to recall Nepal's Ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyaya for he was found working against the country's interests.

Speaking at an interaction organised at the Reporter's Club in the Capital on Saturday, he said,"A person like an ambassador should be able to implement the government's policy directives and maintain diplomatic relations while working abroad."

Upadhyaya was found leaving workplace without informing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, taking part in a programme with ambassador of an other country at sensitive areas like Tarai during the agitation and being involved in attempts to change the government, he said.

Responding to a query of mediapersons, Rawal opined that Upadhyaya was recalled to strengthen and expand existing relationship with India.

Stating that President Bidya Devi Bhandari's scheduled visit to India was cancelled due to internal reasons rather than diplomatic ones, he said, "The pre-budget discussion is underway at the Parliament and the President has to present policy and programme of the government."

The President's presence in the nation was deemed necessary in critical times while speculations about government change were rife, he added.

He made it clear that the government's decision to recall Upadhyaya was not related to the cancellation of the President's India visit.

Meanwhile, speaking at the House today, former State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Nepali Congress leader Prakash Sharan Mahat had also expressed dissatisfaction over the government's decision to recall Upadhyaya.