This Article is From Feb 12, 2011

Krishna's gaffe at the UN: Reads out Portugal minister's speech

New York: External Affairs Minister SM Krishna was caught in an embarrassing faux pas at the United Nations Security Council meeting in New York when he inadvertently read from out a part of Portuguese Minister's speech.

However, the error was quickly caught by an Indian diplomat who drew the minister's attention towards it and Krishna switched to his own speech.

Foreign ministry officials say the confusion was created because the Portuguese minister decided to speak extempore, and a copy of his speech was handed out to all foreign ministers.

Speaking at the UNSC at a debate on security and development on Friday, Krishna read out the wrong speech for about three minutes before being corrected by India's envoy to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri.

Krishna read Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado's speech, without realising his mistake, apparently because the first portion related to general issues pertaining to the UN, development and security.

The Portuguese minister had already spoken before India. Krishna is here on a two-day visit to push India's agenda for Security Council reforms.

(With PTI inputs)
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