Sudhir Vyas likely to be India's new ambassador to Pak

Senior diplomat Sudhir Vyas is expected to take up the job of India's High Commissioner to Pakistan when incumbent Satyabrata Pal retires at the end of this month.

Vyas, currently India's ambassador to Bhutan, is expected to take over In Islamabad at the end of February, when Pal retires, diplomatic sources told PTI.

It is believed that Vyas' nomination has been cleared by Pakistan's Foreign Office. He earlier served as Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad.

Vyas was expelled in 2003 by Pakistan in a tit-for-tat move after India threw out Jalil Abbas Jilani, Pakistani Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi, accusing him of funnelling funds for separatist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Three senior diplomats including Vyas and Sharat Sabharwal, a special secretary in the external affairs ministry who too has served in Islamabad, were considered for the post, sources said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Office is reportedly considering to replace Shahid Malik, the current High Commissioner in New Delhi, with Jilani, a cousin of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, sources said.

Jilani is currently Pakistan's envoy to Australia and has earlier served as the Foreign Office spokesman.