Resigned to make way for younger blood: Krishna

S.M. Krishna Saturday said he has resigned from his post as external affairs minister to make way for "younger blood", and added that he had brought in transparency in the functioning of the ministry during his tenure.

Krishna told reporters that he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and thanked him for the support provided by the leadership for the external affairs ministry.

"The whole idea behind the resignation is that the flavour of the season is that youngsters should take more responsibility. It's time for me to make way for younger blood to take over," he told reporters at his residence a day after he stepped down.

"This is no way denigrates the importance of experience. Experience is an important attribute, particularly in pursing foreign relations with other countries," said the 80-year-old Krishna.

"We brought in transparency in the functioning of the ministry," he said, adding "we have been able to bring in a number of reforms, including the Haj reforms".

"Transparency is an unstoppable trend," he underlined, while wishing his successor good luck.

Krishna stepped down in the wake of a cabinet rejig scheduled for Sunday morning. He is likely to play a major role in Karnataka affairs, with the state set for polls next year.