New Delhi:
Former External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said on Saturday that he has resigned from his post to make way for "younger blood". He also added that he has brought in transparency in the functioning of the ministry during his tenure.
Mr Krishna told reporters that he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and thanked him for the support provided by the leadership for the External Affairs Ministry.
"The whole idea behind the resignation is that the flavour of the season is that youngsters should take more responsibility. It's time for me to make way for younger blood to take over," the 80-year-old told reporters at his residence a day after he stepped down.
"This is no way denigrates the importance of experience. Experience is an important attribute, particularly in pursing foreign relations with other countries," he said.
"We brought in transparency in the functioning of the ministry," he said, adding "we have been able to bring in a number of reforms, including the Haj reforms".
"Transparency is an unstoppable trend," he underlined, while wishing his successor good luck.
Mr Krishna's resignation came ahead of a cabinet rejig scheduled for Sunday morning. He is likely to play a major role in Karnataka affairs. The state is set for assembly polls next year.