Swaraj's raised profile

Several journalists were surprised to find that External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had been deputed to address the Cabinet briefing on Wednesday. Swaraj is not only a brilliant orator but also has a penchant to gauge the mood of her audience, particularly when it is a group of cynical journalists. "First, let me put at rest your curiosity," she said. "I am not here to talk about any issue related to the external affairs minister." Lest people start speculating, Swaraj said the Cabinet had approved a Bill to ban commercial surrogacy and she was addressing the press briefing as she had headed the Group of Ministers to draft the law.