NEW DELHI, May 10: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been unofficially sounded out to succeed UN Secretary Gneral Kofi Annan at the end of the year, but he has apparently reserved comment, The Asian Age said on Wednesday.

“It could not be ascertained whether Dr Singh has refused the offer categorically or left it hanging, to be picked up later in the year in case the current move within the Congress Party to increase the pressure against him gathers ground over the next few weeks,” the newspaper said.

The newspaper did not clarify who made the offer to Dr Singh. However, it pointed out that the India-born UN undersecretary-general for communication and public information Shashi Tharoor, who is considered the right-hand man of Mr Kofi Annan, has been lobbying hard,

“Despite two quick visits to India in recent weeks (he) has been unable to get a commitment of support from the government,” The Age said.