New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) The government Wednesday assured the Organising Committee (OC) of the 2010 Commonwealth Games of smooth passage for the Queen’s Baton Relay that is currently in Africa.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao made the assurance during a visit to the Games headquarters here during which she met OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi, an OC statement said.

She said she was confident that Delhi would stage a memorable Games.

“She reiterated support from the ministry of external affairs for the ongoing Queen’s Baton Relay, which is now in Africa,” the statement said, adding that Rao said officials in Pakistan would be urged to facilitate the journey of the Relay through that country.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a traditional event that has launched every edition of the Commonwealth Games since 1958. Queen Elizabeth II launched the Relay in London Oct 29.

The Relay will traverse the length and breadth of Commonwealth countries for 240 days, visiting all of the other 70 nations and territories, before entering India from the Atari border with Pakistan June 25.

“Nirupama Rao also showed keen interest in the working of the OC and its various departments known as Functional Areas (FAs),” the OC statement said.