No Private Matter

Union commerce minister Kamal Nath’s friendly noises on FDI has raised the hackles of the Left parties. At a recent meeting of the US-India Business Council in the capital, Nath promised jittery investors the new government would not abandon the privatisation exercise. Rather, they would offer newer opportunities for investment in the private sector. Unfortunately, Nath’s statements—designed to tell investors there would be stability and continuity in the country’s economic growth—has left the Left foaming at the mouth. Given the latter’s persistent demands to the Congress-led government to abandon privatisation efforts, and to impose controls on FDI, one wonders what’s in store on the foreign investment front. Any clue, Mr Nath?