McCain fails to turn up for meeting with PM, instead sends Palin

New York, Sep 25 (UNI) The much-hyped meeting betwen Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US Presidential candidate John McCain could not take place as Mr McCain could not come because of heavy engagements regarding the US financial crisis.

Instead, his Vice Presdential candidate Sarah Palin met the Prime Minister.

The meeting was sought by Mr McCain and the two were scheduled to meet here last evening.

The two Presidential candidates -- John McCain and Barack Obama -- last night sparred over the issue of deferring the Presidential debate that was slated to take place over the week-end.

McCain had called for the deferment so that both of them could devote time to help their respective parties discuss the resolution of the current financial crisis.

The Republicans have tried to launch Ms Palin, a novice in international politics, as a world leader through her meetings with several world leaders, including the Indian Prime Minister and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari.

UNI RB SBA UCS0632