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 NEW DELHI (AP) - The Indian government stripped its foreign minister of his responsibilities Monday over accusations he profited from corruption in the U.N. oil-for-food program in Iraq, making him the first political casualty of a report accusing thousands of colluding with Saddam Hussein's regime to bilk the humanitarian effort.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday summoned Natwar Singh for an hourlong meeting at his residence and demoted him to minister without portfolio, the government said in a statement.
The accusation that the ousted foreign minister was among more than 2,200 prominent companies and politicians worldwide to illegally benefit from the program has roiled India for days and led to widespread calls that he step down.
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