New Delhi, May 1 : Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma denied on Thursday any breach of protocol by the family member of President Pratibha Devisingh Patil during her Mexico visit.

According to reports President Pratibha Patil’s son Rajendra Singh Shekhawat, who accompanied her on her trip to Latin America in April, went away briefly to the US to attend to personal business.

Giving further clarifications in this regard, Sharma said that the government had prior information of Rajendra Singh`s visit to US.

“There is no breach of protocol involved whatsoever, it was known right at the beginning that up to a particular point he would be travelling along with the delegation and thereof he will proceed for a scheduled meeting with the University of Florida,” said Sharma.

“It is not the first time that the members of the delegation who have traveled with the VVIP, the President or the Prime Minister if they have scheduled engagements, they are not required to return with the delegation they continue the journey or also travel elsewhere,” added Sharma.

Recently President Patil wrapped up her maiden foreign visit to Latin American countries.

During her tour to Mexico, Patil met her Mexican counterpart Felipe Calderon Hinojose. Both reiterated their assurance that the two countries would seek to promote bilateral relations that depend on goodwill and friendship between people. Both leaders also emphasized the importance of expanding contacts in different fields like culture, education, tourism and film and television.

India and Mexico signed two agreements, one for cooperation in civil aviation and the other for cooperation in the energy sector. (ANI)