When Sushma Swaraj was in charge of Modi government

New Delhi: Not many people would have realised but it really happened: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was at the helm of the government for three days from November 21 to 23.

During that time, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh - the number two in the Cabinet - were on official foreign tours.

While PM Modi was travelling to Malaysia and Singapore, Rajnath was in China.

Rajnath had departed for China on November 18, and PM Modi started his four-day visit beginning November 21.

As per protocol, between November 21 and 23, when both PM Modi and Rajnath were not in India, Sushma Swaraj looked after the affairs of the government, as per a report in Navbharat Times.

She discharged the duties till Monday evening when Rajnath returned from China.

PM Modi arrived back in the country early Wednesday morning.

It was the first time since Modi took over as the prime minister that bot he and Rajnath were not in the country at the same time.

An official circular had been issued indicating that Sushma would be in charge of the government and would have powers to take decisions in case of any emergency.