Prior engagement keeps Sushma Swaraj away from oath ceremony

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj could not attend today's swearing-in ceremony of 19 ministers due to a diplomatic engagement and, anticipating a negative headline in the media, she explained the reason for her absence well ahead of the event.

"Media - Pl avoid the headline: 'Sushma skips Oath Ceremony'," Swaraj tweeted two hours before the oath ceremony.

In another tweet, she said she had a meeting with her Hungarian counterpart .

"I am unable to attend the swearing in ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhawan since I have a meeting with Foreign Minister of Hungary.

"I congratulate and welcome all my colleagues joining the Council of Ministers," Swaraj said.

Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Szijjarto is on a three-day visit here and he and Swaraj held extensive talks on a range of bilateral and multilateral issues today.