September 23, 2011 8:41 AM

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2G: PM backs Chidambaram, says enjoys his full confidence, Dr. Singh dismisses reports about tussle in cabinet

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has asserted that Mr P.Chidambaram enjoys his full confidence. Talking to reporters on board the special aircraft from Frankfurt to New York, he said that he has full faith in him and also enjoyed his trust when he was the Finance Minister. Dismissing reports about a tussle between Mr Chidambaram and Mr Pranab Mukerjee, he avoided a comment on the Finance Ministry letter to the PMO on the 2G issue saying the matter is subjudice. Earlier, the Prime Minister spoke to Mr Chidambaram from Frankfurt. Mr Pranab Mukerjee also called him from Washington, after a section of the media reported about the Finance Ministry letter on the 2G issue and reported rift between the two senior ministers of the Cabinet. Mr Chidambaram assured the Prime Minister that he shall not make any public statement on the issue until Dr Manmohan Singh returns to New Delhi. The Prime Minister has since reached New York to attend the 66th Session of the UN General Assembly. He will have bilateral meetings with the Presidents of Iran and Sri Lanka, and the Prime Minister of Japan today. He is also expected to meet President of South Sudan and the Prime Minister of Nepal. The Prime Minister will have a hectic day on his second day of his visit to New York. In his first meeting with Japanese counterpart, the two leaders are expected to take forward the dialogue process on co-operation in area of civil nuclear energy. Safety of nuclear power plants is also likely to be taken up in the meeting. The discussion assumes importance in the wake of Fukoshima incident and growing concern on the safety of nuclear power plants in India. The meeting with Iranian President will focus on all important gas pipe line projects besides the situation in Afghanistan and West Asia. In the talks with the Sri Lankan President, expediting rehabilitation of displaced Tamils and reconstruction in the Northern Areas of Sri Lanka will be at the centre of talks. The Prime Minister will address the UN General Assembly on Saturday. The issues related to terrorism, economic slowdown, expansion in the UN Security Council and unrest in West Asia and North Africa will be the highlights of his address.

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