Even as he gave himself a clean-chit debunking Justice Pathak’s findings, Natwar Singh did come close to admitting a few things today in the Rajya Sabha. That is, if his letters of introduction were used to secure oil contracts, ‘‘these were legitimate contracts under the UN oil-for-food programme and there was no illegality committed by him in India or internationally.’’

As he read out his written explanation, cut from 16 pages to seven, Natwar Singh seemed to regain some equanimity if not ground. ‘‘I am in the evening of my life and shall meet the Cosmic Master with my head high. Clean I came into the world and clean I shall depart,’’ he told the House.

How much the Congress party would buy this almost poignant warrior-in-his-winter act of his would be seen in the days to come. But ‘Personal explanation’ did restore some ‘sense’ to the raging and ranting of the previous week.

Repeatedly citing his affidavit — which he said was ignored by Pathak Inquiry Authority — he sought to bring a foreign policy angle, ‘‘...I have given details and Mr Volcker’s bias against those who disapproved of US actions in West Asia and elsewhere.’’

However, he was willing to go along with Pathak’s report as long it helped him assert: ‘‘The Authority has in clear terms said I and my son derived no financial gain from any source. We stand fully vindicated.’’

For records, he said, ‘‘On my return (2001) I briefed the Congress president (without mentioning Sonia Gandhi by name) about our discussions in Baghdad. Nothing at all was concealed from her or held back.’’

... contd.