SM Krishna reads Portuguese minister's speech at UN

UNITED NATIONS: External affairs minister SM 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.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council at a debate on security and development yesterday, 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.

But a few lines did go out of place. "On a more personal note, allow me to express my profound satisfaction regarding the happy coincidence of having two members of the Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), Brazil and Portugal, together here today," was one of them.

Krishna could have said this thinking it fit because Brazil holds the current presidency of the Security Council.

"The European Union is also responding in this manner in coordination with the United Nations," he said, before Puri intervened.

"You can start again," Puri told Krishna following the faux pas.

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