Kolkata, Nov 14: Defence Minister George Fernandes said here today that there was no new major problem in the country's border areas, including in the north eastern region.
Making a brief stop-over in the city while on his way to Imphal, Fernandes told reporters at the NSCB international airport that the country was ready to face any situation.
On Jammu and Kashmir situation, the Defence Minister said what is happening there "is continuing for last two decades" while at present peace prevailed in the north east region.
Fernandes, who is also the NDA convenor, when asked about allocation of a ministerial portfolio to Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, a union cabinet minister without portfolio, said it was a matter to be decided by Prime Minister A B Vajpayee.
The NDA convenor, who is likely to meet Mamata during the stop-over, refused to divulge the issues that he would be discussing with her.
Bureau Report