Shashi Tharoor happy with UN nomination

Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said he was "deeply honoured" by New Delhi's move.

Soon after India announced its decision to nominate him for the post of United Nations Secretary General, Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said he was "deeply honoured" by New Delhi's move.

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Tharoor, who is currently the UN Undersecretary General for Communications and Public Information, said that he believed a well-functioning UN can make real difference in the world.

He expressed his determination to work towards that end if elected.

Once elected for the prestigious post, Tharoor, 50, who is also a well-known author, would be the youngest UN Secretary General.

India's decision to nominate him comes with an assertion that under the principle of regional rotation, the next Secretary General of the UN should be from Asia.

Tharoor, who has served at the UN in various capacities and has been closely involved in the process of UN reforms, will be competing from at least three other candidates from Asia -- Sri Lanka's Jayantha Dhanapala, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirthai and South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon.