PTI

Kampala, Uganda, Nov 24: Career diplomat Kamlesh Sharma was unanimously chosen as the new Commonwealth Secretary General on Saturday, becoming the first Indian to hold the coveted post of the 53-member grouping.
   
Currently India's High Commissioner to the UK, 66-year-old Sharma was appointed to the post by the Commonwealth Heads of Government holding their biennial summit here.

An elated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is attending the summit, said he was delighted that Commonwealth Heads of Government have selected Sharma as the next Secretary General.
     
"His long record of public service in the international community has been capped by this recognition of his capabilities and 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," the Prime Minister said.

Sharma, who will take up his new post on April one next year, told the press after his selection that "it will be an honour and a privilege to serve this great international institution."

"Collective problems of the world require collective solutions". This required convergence in all areas, he said adding "we have to stand on common ground in pursuing the goal of development".
      
Malta's Foreign Minister Michael Frendo and Commonwealth Business Council Chairman Mohan Kaul were also in the fray but the leaders decided in Sharma's favour.

He becomes the first-ever Indian and the first Asian in more than 40 years to be selected to the top slot in the 42-year-old grouping of former British colonies. A bid by Jagat Mehta in 1985 did not fructify.