Pressed by the urgency of the probe into the chopper deal scam, the government has asked the ambassador-designate in Rome, Basant K Gupta, to join office as soon as possible.

Gupta is an additional secretary at the headquarters and the formal acceptance from Rome as his appointment as the envoy came 15 days back. 

The post of Indian ambassador to Rome has been lying vacant for two months.

Gupta succeeds Debabrata Saha, who has retired from foreign service.

At present the mission is headed by, Ravi Shankar, the chargé d’affaires.