Kochi:
Former National Security Adviser, M K Narayanan, has refuted reports suggesting that that he had any difference of opinion with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on relations with Pakistan in the background of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
Asked about the WikiLeaks cable revelations in this regard, Narayanan, who is presently the West Bengal Governor, told reporters last night on the sidelines of a Rotary function that he did not have any difference of opinion with the PM.
"There was an informal discussion with the US Ambassador Timothy Roemer. I told him that the Prime Minister was a great believer in improving relations with Pakistan. He (PM) always says we can choose our friends, but we cannot choose our neighbours and Pakistan is a great neighbour."
Narayanan said the then Ambassador wanted to know his stand on these matters. "I said I do not have as much belief in Pakistan (as much as the PM has). That is a different view, not a difference of opinion. Nor do I think it is possible for the National Security Adviser to have a difference of opinion with the PM".
"The Prime Minister is the only one who decides on the policies, not the NSA", Narayanan said.
As per the WikiLeaks cable revelations, Ambassador Roemer after a meeting with Narayanan in August 2009, had held that Prime Minister Manmohan singh was isolated within his own government in his 'great belief' in talks and negotiations with Pakistan.
Asked about the reports on the so called 'Kerala Mafia' in the PMO, Narayanan said it was an "American perception and an obviously wrong perception. That's all I can say".
"I don't think we are a mafia. We have been selected by the Prime Minister and we have done what the PM would like us to do. Selections are done based on the availability. Hopefully, good choices. The Prime Minister wants the right people for the right job", Narayanan said.