Tharoor,Preneet take charge

Newly inducted Ministers of State in the External Affairs Ministry,Shashi Tharoor and Preneet Kaur,took charge on Friday. The two,who are going to be a part of South Block come from absolutely different backgrounds. While one is a former UN bureaucrat and novelist,the other is a Congress MP from Patiala.

Tharoor said that he has been able to carry out a great amount of constructive activity in the area. Tharoor has served as Under Secretary General for Communications and Public Information before contesting for the post of UN chief over two years ago.

Tharoor,while saying that Indias place in the world has been one of great importance since the time of Nehru,added,that he hoped to make his own contribution towards strengthening its position in the world.

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Kaur,on the other hand,emphasised the need for better relations with neighbouring countries. On whether India will resume talks with Pakistan she said,’We always want good relations with our neighbours,but

the one thing we will not tolerate is terrorism and sheltering terrorists.’