Kamal Nath, India’s high profile trade negotiator, has been replaced as the country’s commerce and industry minister and removed from the international policy circuit as the ruling United Progressive Alliance cements its team for a new term in office.

Manmohan Singh, India’s prime minister, has handed the commerce portfolio to Anand Sharma, a former minister of state in the foreign ministry. Mr Nath, meanwhile, has been shifted to the road transport and highways ministry, a less glamorous portfolio.