October 16, 2001	Tuesday	Rajab 28, 1422

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NEW DELHI, Oct 15: George Fernandes was reinstated as India’s defence minister on Monday, seven months after a devastating arms scandal sent him into the political wilderness.

His return could sharpen India’s profile on the diplomatic stage, and analysts said it may have been a response to concern within the government that New Delhi was falling in too easily with Washington and London’s wishes in the attacks crisis.

The firebrand socialist’s recall to the defence portfolio was also seen as the result of demands on Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee from one of his most crucial coalition partners, Fernandes’s Samata Party.—Reuters