Renu Sharma to be Deputy Chief of Mission in Brussels, but with conditions

Renu Sharma (middle) chairing a meeting

IN November 2008, a leading national magazine in an article said: “The name of Renu Sharma, an IAS officer posted in the Commerce Ministry, is doing the rounds for the post of Deputy Chief of Mission in Brussels.” The article was on imminent reshuffle of Indian ambassadors. The story then turned wrong. But four years down the line, the government has appointed Renu Sharma, 1988 batch AGMUT cadre IAS, as Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) in Embassy of India in Brussels, but with a condition…
“After completion of her tenure on the said post Ms Sharma would have to revert back to her Cadre”, said the ACC order dated September 13, 2012.
Ms Sharma who was a joint secretary in the ministry of commerce till May 2011 is now posted in Mizoram as secretary, finance and planning. Her posting at Brussels will be for a period of three years “in relaxations to cooling off requirement”, said the ACC order.
An MA and M Phil in political science, Ms Sharma, 48, has good command over economics, and issues related to trade and commerce. She was also instrumental in driving design development as an instrument for good commerce. Her ability to understand French may also come handy during her stay in Europe. In late 1990s, she had stayed in France to complete a long-term training programme.