Natwar Singh takes charge of the external affairs ministry at a crucial stage. With the India-Pakistan peace dialogue on and tough negotiations underway with China to expeditiously resolve the border issue, he has his plate full.

Singh indicated recently that the peace process, started under the initiative of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, would continue.

In his South Block office on Monday, the seasoned diplomat indicated that the National Democratic Alliance's political appointees would soon have to quit.