All of Delhi is buzzing with news about how a major Indo-US deal got derailed. Apparently the rather clever Americans had the intelligence to tap into the room of an Indian mantri.
All of Delhi is buzzing with news about how a major Indo-US deal got derailed. Apparently the rather clever Americans had the "intelligence" to tap into the room of an Indian mantri. This revelation in itself is bound to raise hackles all around, with complete denials likely.
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Sab pataa hai: "Some believe that Manmohan Singh knew this (the deal story) already. They say that it was also, in hindsight, evident from the manner in which Manmohan has reconstituted his Cabinet," says the writeru00a0 |
The said mantri was caught, in an obviously unguarded private moment with his babus, making some rather rude, explicit and uncharitable remarks about the "other side". Inevitably, of course, it came as no surprise that the talks subsequently broke down. And of course after an appropriately delay, the US is supposed to have sent a rather curt letter to the Prime Minister, explaining, without going into details, the reasons why!
What is bothering Dilli is more than just the story itself. That, of course, has come as a total surprise. Some believe that Manmohan knew this already. They say that it was also, in hindsight, evident from the manner in which Manmohan has reconstituted his Cabinet. It is also said that this "secret grouse" may explain the most inexplicable aspect of the new Manmohan team.
The most shocking aspect, of course, is that the prurient details of this entire escapade have been provided to the public (albeit selective elements only) by none other than a Cabinet colleague of the demoted minister.
Given that ministers are usually privy to information such as this, only under the terms of the oath of secrecy that they are administered when they take office, this leak is bound to be treated as more than just a major gaffe. Not only secrecy and sanctity of office, but even privilege seems to have been violated in this case. And the reverberations are ringing all over the high and mighty in Dilli city, which loves this kind of salacious revelation, made after midnight hours.
