12 Facts About Kamalesh Sharma

Kamalesh Sharma was born on 30 September 1941 and is an Indian diplomat who served as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations from 2008 to 2016.

Kamalesh Sharma was an officer in the Indian Foreign Service from 1965 to 2002.

Kamalesh Sharma served as India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations from August 1997 to May 2002, before his retirement from the Indian Foreign Service.

Kamalesh Sharma subsequently served as High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom from 2004 to 2008.

Kamalesh Sharma is a Vice-President of the Royal Commonwealth Society.

Kamalesh Sharma was the Chancellor of Queen's University Belfast from 2009 to 2015.

Kamalesh Sharma was elected to the position of secretary-general over Michael Frendo, foreign minister of Malta, during the biennial Commonwealth summit in Kampala, Uganda, held from 22 to 24 November 2007.

Kamalesh Sharma took over from Sir Don McKinnon of New Zealand on 1 April 2008.

Kamalesh Sharma was re-elected on 30 October 2011 at the 2011 CHOGM.

Kamalesh Sharma was unopposed, having been proposed by India and seconded by Pakistan.

Kamalesh Sharma was described by Arif Zaman, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Businesswomen's Network as "someone who has been a passionate, active and dedicated champion for women, combining advocacy with practical steps".

On 9 July 2009, Sharma was appointed Chancellor of Queen's University Belfast after the retirement of Senator George J Mitchell.