NEW DELHI, June 17: “Missile man” A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who is certain to become India’s next president, met Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Monday before filing his nomination papers.

“One does not have to be a politician to be the president. Even as a scientist I do have the support of the main political parties,” a relaxed Kalam told reporters dressed in a blue shirt and khaki trousers.

“Tomorrow’s world will be dominated by technology and here I can share my management and technological skills with the parliament and the cabinet if I am elected.” Earlier in the day, Kalam, the architect of the country’s ballistic missile programme, was received at the airport by Defence Minister George Fernandes, as he arrived here from Chennai.—AFP