The Hindu : National : Menon briefs CPI(M), BJP

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Sunday, Oct 08, 2006
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Menon briefs CPI(M), BJP

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon called on the Leader of the Opposition, L.K. Advani, and Communist Party of India (Marxist) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury here on Saturday. He has also sought meetings with other political leaders, including the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

While he met Mr. Advani at his residence, the meeting with Mr. Yechury took place at the CPI (M) headquarters at A.K. Gopalan Bhawan.

Mr. Yechury told reporters that the gamut of issues related to India's foreign policy came up for discussion although it was a "courtesy call" with no specific agenda. "I told him [Mr. Menon] that our public position was well known. We want India to develop friendly relations with all countries without compromising an independent foreign policy stance," Mr. Yechury later told The Hindu. He reiterated, what the CPI (M) has repeatedly said: there should be no deviation in the India-U.S. nuclear deal from the points mentioned by the Prime Minister in Parliament.

Mr. Menon met Mr. Advani in the morning and was with him for about 45 minutes. Mr. Advani's aide described his visit as a "courtesy call" and said, naturally, various issues related to foreign policy were discussed.

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