“I have worked with him for 40 years. He knew nothing of foreign affairs... When I am in difficulty, he does not have the courage or camaraderie to say something in my favour,” Natwar said in an interview to CNN-IBN.

He refused to comment on Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. “Due to my reverence for Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, I will not say a single word against Sonia Gandhi,” he said.

The Indian Express has learnt that Natwar may get to make a ‘personal statement’ in Rajya Sabha on the Pathak panel report which indicted him for helping those close to him obtain oil contracts from the Saddam regime.

For a personal statement, officials said, Natwar will have to submit a draft and it will have to be approved by Rajya Sabha chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.

The procedure, officials said, was explained to him on Monday when Natwar said he wanted to speak on the matter.

Pointing out that members have a right to make a personal statement, officials said that such a statement has “limited” scope since “there can neither be a debate nor an inquiry or clarification on it.”

Natwar is yet to get back with the draft. His privilege motion against the PM awaits Shekhawat’s ruling.

Roasted by BJP, SP, now their toast

BJP and SP leaders are now dining with Natwar, even discussing the nuclear deal. But all these months, from the time Volcker named both Natwar and Congress, this is what they had been saying:

• Amar Singh: “There’s confusion regarding the External Affairs Minister’s position. The UN has set up a high-level inquiry” (Nov 5, 2005)

• Yashwant Sinha, while demanding Natwar’s arrest: “The time has come for this government to go. The government misled both Houses” (Dec 2, 2005)

• Arun Jaitley: “India’s national interest dictates that lobbies cannot represent its interests. How can he continue as Foreign Minister even for a day” (Oct 29, 2005)

• Jaswant Singh: “Dr Singh has given an ‘innocent’ certificate (to Natwar). Now, there is evidence. The Minister is involved” (Dec 2, 2005)