India's new top diplomat in New Zealand formally took over on Wednesday from his sacked colleague who defied protocol by refusing to go home.
KP Ernest presented his credentials as India's High Commissioner -- the British Commonwealth equivalent to ambassador -- to New Zealand Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright at a formal ceremony in Wellington.
However, there was still no word when his predecessor Harish Dogra, who was fired after complaints about his efficiency and off-hand attitude to members of the local Indian community, would return to New Delhi as ordered by the Indian government.
Dogra's diplomatic visa was withdrawn by the New Zealand government on Monday and he was given 10 days to leave the country.
Wellington's Dominion Post reported on Wednesday that he had failed to hand over the keys to his official residence.
His former deputy Tika Jatav was quoted as saying, "He is playing silly games".