New Delhi: With his speech at the UN in the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes sparking controversy for absence of any reference to Nariman House, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed today said he was "sorry" if his statement had led to any "misunderstanding".

"I am very sorry. It is my duty to defend every Indian or any foreigner who is in India. We are all one," he said.

"If there is any misunderstanding, I need to clarify," he said adding that the name of Nariman House, which had a Jewish religious centre, or any other place was not taken by him and neither did he mention any community during the address.

"No community was mentioned. Neither did I refer to any place," he added.

The clarification came close on the heels of Leader of Opposition L K Advani citing reports to the effect that the minister had omitted the name of Nariman House in his speech to the UN Security Council.

"If it is so, it is very unfortunate," he said.
Source : PTI