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| India-Pakistan |
| India diplo chosen as new Commonwealth SecGen |
| 2007-11-25 |
| Indian High Commissioner to the UK -- Kamlesh Sharma -- was Saturday unanimously chosen Secretary General of the 53-nation Commonwealth grouping at the Ugandan capital Kampala. It is the first time that an Indian will be heading any major international organisation. Sharma, 66, has been India's representative on the board of governors of the Commonwealth since 2004. "I am delighted that the Commonwealth heads of government have selected Kamlesh Sharma as the next secretary general of the Commonwealth," Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in a statement in Kampala today, the news agency Indo Asian News Service reported. "His long record of public service in the international community has been capped by this recognition of his capability and his inclusive vision of the Commonwealth. I am confident that he will acquit himself well in his higher responsibilities as the first servant of the entire Commonwealth," Dr Singh said. Sharma will hold the post for two years beginning March 2008 when the present Secretary General Don Mckinnon's two-time term ends. A member of the Indian diplomatic service, Sharma was India's Permanent Representative to the UN and spokesperson for developing countries in the UNCTAD during the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations. Sharma was engaged in the process that led to the formulation and adoption of the Millennium Development Goals. He was the first Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to independent East Timor. |
| Posted by:Seafarious |