NEW DELHI, June 16 (UPI) -- India has formally decided to nominate international diplomat Sashi Tharoor for the office of U.N. secretary-general.
This marks the first time India has put itself in the running for one of the most important roles in international diplomacy, the office of the secretary-general of the United Nations, The Financial Express newspaper said Friday.
"India has decided to announce the candidature of Mr. Sashi Tharoor, undersecretary-general for communications and public information at the U.N.," said Navtej Sarna, Indian Foreign Office spokesman.
Sarna said India strongly supports the principle of regional rotation under which the next secretary-general of the U.N. should be from Asia. Elections for the post will be held in October and November, as current Secretary-General Koffi Annan's term expires at midnight on Dec. 31.
Tharoor, a 50-year-old Indian national and well-known writer who has worked with the U.N. since 1978, has met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh twice recently to discuss the nomination.
According to media reports, Tharoor faces stiff competition from South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Sri Lankan diplomat Jayantha Dhanapala. If elected, Tharoor would be the U.N.'s youngest secretary-general.
Sarna said African nations were already backing India's choice, and added that New Delhi would approach other countries for more support in the coming days.
"Indian missions across the world have been directed with their host governments to support Tharoor's bid," said Sarna.
