Kathmandu, Aug. 20 -- Bhutan has proposed Dasho Sonam Topgay as the 16th secretary general of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), setting the stage for another leadership change as the regional grouping remains mired in a prolonged political stalemate.

The proposal comes as incumbent Secretary General Golam Sarwar of Bangladesh is due to complete his three-year term at the end of October. Under SAARC's established alphabetical rotation, it is Bhutan's turn to nominate the next secretary general.

"Thimphu proposed Topgay's name at the SAARC Secretariat in early August and is now seeking concurrence from the other member states," a diplomat at the SAARC Secretariat told the Post.

The nomination could be discusse...