Connecting over 25 millions NRIs worldwide
Most trusted Name in the NRI media
NRI PEOPLE- OUR NETWORK
 
Kamalesh Sharma-

 

Kamalesh Sharma, a retired IFS, unanimously appointed C'wealth Secretary General

 

Kampala, Nov 25, 2007
Sant Parkash Singh

India's high commissioner to Britain, Kamlesh Sharma, 66, is the first & unanimously appointed C'wealth Secretary General of the 53-nation grouping from an Asian Commonwealth country in more than 40 years. He will take up a prestigious post for two years on April 1, 2008. The secretary general is responsible for its day to day functioning but Queen Elizabeth heads the Commonwealth

At Ugandan capital Kampala, the summit of 53-nation grouping started on Friday until Sundayand are discussing issues like global trade and climate change. Don McKinnon, outgoing, incumbent two-time term Secretary General, a former New Zealand foreign minister said, "Sharma was the unanimous choice of the Commonwealth, a grouping of English speaking countries that works on the principle of consensus."

Sharma at a news conference said:

  • I would like to express my gratitude to all the leaders for the responsibility and trust they have given me to carry forward the task of the Commonwealth
  • It will be an honour and a privilege to serve this great international institution.
  • The Commonwealth a "highly representative body of the human community."
  • Pakistan's suspension from this body- there can be rapid developments and we will be observing them and addressing them accordingly

Prime Minister of India,Manmohan Singh said:

  • I am very delighted by the selection of Mr. Sharma.
  • Sharma's 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.

Kamalesh Sharma's Bio:

  • Kamalesh Sharma was educated in St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and King's College, Cambridge.
  • Mr. Sharma, a retired IFS (Indian Foreign Service) from 1965 to 2001 and has been India's ambassador five times
  • 1996-2001, he became permanent representative of India to the UN in New York
  • He is currently High Commissioner in the UK
  • Sharma is also India's representative on the board of governors of the Commonwealth since 2004.
  • Sharma's honorary positions:
    • Fellow of Harvard University-Weatherhead Centre for International Affairs.
    • Fellow of Foreign Policy Association of the United States
    • Recipient of the Medal of the Association
    • Former Member of the Board of the International Peace Academy in New York, Governor of the Ditchley Foundations and Vice President of the Royal Overseas League.

 

 


Kamlesh Sharma, a retired IFS, is the first secretary general from an Asian Commonwealth country in more than 40 years

  • Indian Ambassador to the United Nations, 1997-2002. Joined Indian Foreign Service, 1965. Indian Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, 1988. Indian Ambassador to the German Democratic Republic, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Indian Ambassador to the United Nations, August 1, 1997-2002. Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to East Timor, May 21, 2002-2004. High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, 2004-Current.