| He also hinted at the possibility of having a full-fledged external affairs minister in the Cabinet. |
| "We haven't had a meeting of the Cabinet on this (Office of Profit Bill) issue. In a day or two we will hopefully settle that issue also," he told accompanying journalists on board his special aircraft on way home from a three-day visit to St. Petersburg. |
| He was asked whether the Bill, which was passed earlier this year and returned by the President, would be brought to Parliament in the same form. |
| The PM said, "In due course of time, we will go to Parliament. First of all, the President has sent a message. We will discuss it...The Bill will be debated in Parliament." |
| Earlier in May, at the height of disqualification controversy, the President had returned the Bill to Parliament for reconsideration for a "comprehensive and generic" criteria which should be "fair and reasonable" and applicable in a "clear and transparent" manner. |
| He had raised the questions over the implication of including the names of offices over which disqualification petitions were pending before the Election Commission, and the applicability of the law with retrospective effect. |
| Asked whether he would soon have a full-fledged foreign minister, Singh said "hopeful" and went on to add that "it can be at anytime". The PM has retained the external affairs portfolio after incumbent K Natwar Singh was relieved of the portfolio in the wake of the Volcker controversy. |
| On the Indo-US nuclear deal, the first anniversary of which falls today, Singh ruled out any fresh commitments on India's part. |
| He expressed confidence that Washington would take into account "fully" India's concerns and work within the parameters of the agreement. |
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