MEA denies breach of protocol by Prez's son

New Delhi: President Pratibha Patil's son Rajendra Singh Shekhawat has denied breaking any protocol while accompanying his mother on an official visit to Latin America.

Earlier, it was reported by newspapers that Shekhawat, who accompanied her on the trip in April, took a detour to Florida while being part of the official presidential delegation.

Rashtrapati Bhavan sources have confirmed that Rajendra Singh Shekhawat visited the University of Florida on a personal invitation, but that he had paid for his own ticket.

MoS Anand Sharma, Ministry of External Affairs, issued a statement saying, "There's no breach of protocol. It's normal for family members to accompany the President. We were told about Rajendra Shekhawat's plans in advance."

Reacting to the report, Rashtrapati Bhavan Spokesperson Archana Datta said, "There was a long pending invitation from the University of Florida for academic purposes. Since Shekhawat was in Mexico, he took the opportunity to visit the university. He bore the expenses for his visit."

Shekhawat's absence was noticed at a banquet hosted by Mexican President Felipe Calderon at Castilo de Chapultepec. According to those who attended the banquet, a seat was reserved for Shekhawat.

According to diplomatic sources, the Indian missions in the US were roped in for his trip. The embassy in Washington sent an officer to Miami to receive the VVIP.

He was received in Miami by a RAW officer, and he stayed in a hotel.

Highly placed Government sources say he had gone to negotiate dealings for courses in educational institutions in Maharashtra.

Shekhawat was also missing from the President's team when it visited the Teotihuacan Pyramids in Mexico April 18.

But he was present at the lunch hosted by Jalisco Governor Emilio Gonzalez Marquez at his palace in Guadalajara on April 19.

President Pratibha Patil's first foreign tour has come under severe criticism for breach of protocol on several occasions, including Patil having to be reminded about saluting the national flag while inspecting a guard of honour in Mexico.