As the race for the post of Commonwealth Secretary General heats up, it is going to be a battle between a seasoned Indian diplomat and a veteran Maltese politician.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that he was optimistic about the chances of Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Kamlesh Sharma for the coveted post.

"I think his chances are good and bright," said Mukherjee on his way to Kampala to attend the ministerial meeting ahead of the Commonwealth Summit in the Ugandan capital.

Sharma, a seasoned diplomat, is pitted against Malta Foreign Minister Michael Frendo, a veteran politician who heads the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group. Frendo has been in politics for the last two decades.

The election for the post of Commonwealth Secretary General is expected to take place during the three-day summit, beginning on November 23, which will be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images].

The new Secretary General will bring the curtain down on the six-year tenure of Don McKinnon of New Zealand [Images].

For India, the post of Commonwealth Secretary General assumes greater significance after Shashi Tharoor lost the race for UN Secretary General to former South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon last year.

Another contestant for the post of Commonwealth Secretary General is Mohan Kaul, Director General of Commonwealth Business Council. He reportedly spoke to Dr Singh seeking India's support for his candidature.

When Mukherjee was asked about Kaul, the External Affairs Minister made it clear he is not India's candidate. "Somebody can offer his candidature. He is not India's candidate," said Mukherjee.

India has been quietly mobilising support for Kamlesh Sharma and Mukherjee, during his stay in the Ugandan capital, is also expected to join the campaign for India's nominee for the top Commonwealth post.