New Delhi, Mar 9: The government today described as ''unfortunate and not correct'' reports that the External Affairs Ministry had delayed disclosing the detention of Bofors payoff accused Ottavio Quattrocchi in Argentina.
''The reports are unfortunate and not correct...,'' Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma told a select group of reporters after talks with visiting El Salnadore Foreign Minister Esteban Lainez.
The Minister said the Ministry has a ''defined and limited role.'' It had extended all facilities and its Mission had also extended all assistance in this regard.
The officials had also given all assistance.
He, however, asserted that it was not possible for him to comment on CBI charges reported by the media.
Mr Anand Sharma was asked to comment on CBI charges that the External Affairs Ministry had delayed disclosing the information about Quattrocchi's detention.
The CBI had told the Supreme Court in an affidavit that it had been kept in dark by the External Affairs Ministry regarding the detention of Quattrocchi.
Earlier, Mr Sharma held discussions with Mr Lainez, followed by delegation-level talks between the two countries.
Addressing a joint press conference after the talks, the two Ministers said the two had agreed to enhance cooperation in various areas, including agriculture, Information Technology, tourism, energy (alternate sources) and culture.
Mr Sharma said the two countries had also agreed to work together in international fora, including the UN, while El Salvador supported India's permanent candidature to the UN Security Council.
UNI
''The reports are unfortunate and not correct...,'' Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma told a select group of reporters after talks with visiting El Salnadore Foreign Minister Esteban Lainez.
The Minister said the Ministry has a ''defined and limited role.'' It had extended all facilities and its Mission had also extended all assistance in this regard.
The officials had also given all assistance.
He, however, asserted that it was not possible for him to comment on CBI charges reported by the media.
Mr Anand Sharma was asked to comment on CBI charges that the External Affairs Ministry had delayed disclosing the information about Quattrocchi's detention.
The CBI had told the Supreme Court in an affidavit that it had been kept in dark by the External Affairs Ministry regarding the detention of Quattrocchi.
Earlier, Mr Sharma held discussions with Mr Lainez, followed by delegation-level talks between the two countries.
Addressing a joint press conference after the talks, the two Ministers said the two had agreed to enhance cooperation in various areas, including agriculture, Information Technology, tourism, energy (alternate sources) and culture.
Mr Sharma said the two countries had also agreed to work together in international fora, including the UN, while El Salvador supported India's permanent candidature to the UN Security Council.
UNI
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