Shyam Saran quits as PM's special envoy, Promoted To MOS Rank

The PM's special envoy on climate change, Shyam Saran, is set to be elevated to the rank of minister of state. Sources confirmed the move to redesignate the ex-foreign secretary, who after his part in the nuclear deal, is also seen as a key figure in India's climate diplomacy. 

The decision to make the 1970 batch IFS officer has been taken in view of Shiv Shankar Menon, three years junior in service, taking charge as national security advisor. Also an ex-foreign secretary, Menon has MoS rank as was the case with his predecessor M K Narayanan. 

The step-up for Saran means the PM is keen to retain him in his office and is read as a vote of confidence in the hard-nosed approach the former diplomat has advocated. He has, of course, been an articulate defender of the shift in India's position on voluntary emission cuts, but has at times been more cautious than environment minister Jairam Ramesh. 

There will be a degree of incongruity in his being MoS while Ramesh is also MoS with independent charge. There is speculation that this may be set right whenever a reshuffle occurs since, as an official said, Saran cannot be seen on the same footing as a minister who addresses a wide range of domestic and international agenda. ...Quoted By TOI