Ministry of external affairs explains SM Krishna's gaffe at the UN

Explaining the gaffe of external affairs minister SM Krishna at the United Nations, his ministry today said the initial parts of all formal addresses there contain similar references and that he made substantive remarks from his prepared text.
   
"The initial parts of all formal addresses contain salutation and courteous references. While addressing the UNSC yesterday, the minister used such expressions from the address of the previous speaker before moving to his prepared text for substantive remarks," the official spokesperson said.
   
"The minister went on to make a well-received statement where he highlighted the relevance of the Indian success story to international efforts to meet the challenges of development, peace and security," the statement said.
   
Krishna was caught in a public gaffe when he inadvertently read out the speech of the Portuguese Minister at a UN Security Council meeting here but rectified the error after an Indian official drew his attention.