New Indian envoy due today

India's new High Commissioner to New Zealand will present his credentials at Government House today, but the exact fate of his predecessor remains unclear.

Kadakath Pathrose Ernest, a joint secretary with the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, arrived in Wellington on Monday to replaced sacked high commissioner Harish Dogra.

Mr Ernest represented India at Anzac celebrations yesterday and will present his credentials to Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright today.

However Mr Dogra's whereabouts and exact plans remain uncertain.

On Friday he turned away a removal van sent to collect his personal possessions from India's official residence in Lower Hutt and The Dominion Post reported today that he had failed to hand over his keys on Monday night.

Mr Dogra had agreed to turn in the keys, but when a commission staff member showed up to take them, Mr Dogra had left the residence.

He is understood to now be staying with friends.

Mr Dogra was stripped of his diplomatic status after rejecting a recall order and demanding the resignation of Indian Foreign Secretary Shayam Saran.

He has been resisting demands to go home since March 1.

Mr Dogra is now on a special 10-day visa to allow him to put his affairs in order and leave the country.

The visa expires on Thursday next week.

At the weekend some Indian media reported Mr Dogra had finally decided to return to his home country where he is likely to face action for defying the government.

Mr Dogra's lawyer was reported to say his client would not be seeking asylum in New Zealand.

The stoush followed months of controversy about the quality of the High Commission's service and complaints from some sections of the Indian community.

- NZPA